Research

Published 6 February 2009

Ambitious plans have been launched by the Environment Agency to open up waterways and lakes to leisure users in south-west England.

A team of researchers at the University of Brighton has examined waterways equivalent to 100 Lake Windermeres and interviewed over 700 individuals and organisations about their water-related use, including anglers, canoeists, surfers, swimmers and sailors.

Angling is one of Britain's biggest outdoor activities and according to government figures canoeing is amongst the country's most popular water sports. Therefore the researchers had to address competing demands for the water, with overcrowding at some locations and underuse at others.

The team has made recommendations on how to get the best use of the south-west region's 1,500km of coast, 200km of rivers and hundreds of square miles of estuaries and enclosed waters. These include working with major water companies such as South West Water to open up reservoirs, as well as improving access to more remote waterways via parking and slip ways and developing multi-activity centres for water-related use.

The strategy entitled Enjoying Water, will be formally launched by Huw Irranca-Davies, Minster for the Natural and Marine Environment, and is particularly significant for the south-west as the 2012 Olympic sailing centre will be situated in the region. Over 26 million tourists a year already visit the south-west, generating between £4-8bn a year and supporting 300,000 jobs.

The research team has already examined and made recommendations to open up waterways and lakes in Wales and the east of England, and has now been tasked by the Environment Agency to audit access and make proposals for water-related activities across other regions in England.

The research was led by Professors Andrew Church and Neil Ravenscroft at the university. Professor Ravenscroft said: "The research team has become a key element in the development of the government's water-related policy for leisure use. We have not only undertaken research but have been asked to implement the recommendations of our own reports which is highly unusual for university researchers. England is a country with plenty of waterways and lakes many aren't used as well as they could be and this plan will make more of them available for people to enjoy."