Access to our waterways is more than just a recreational privilege; it’s a responsibility. That’s the driving mantra behind the Clear Access Clear Waters, Access and Environment Charter by Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) and adopted by Paddle cymru.

This charter champions a shared commitment to creating healthy, accessible, and sustainable waterways for all, underpinned by a vision that focuses on:

• Inspiring more people to enjoy blue spaces, more often
• Preserving nature-rich waterways accessible to everyone, across Britain
• Building a universal pledge to protect, respect, and enjoy our waters
• Fostering thriving communities and building trusting relationships with landowners
• Ensuring that future generations inherit healthy, clean waterways

The charter’s principles are just as relevant in Wales as they are in England, with action needed from both the Senedd in Wales and Westminster to realise this vision. However, access alone isn’t enough. For people to enjoy our waters, they must be clean, safe, and protected from pollution.

Priorities for Action:

The charter outlines several key actions to improve both access and the health of our blue spaces:

1. Expand Responsible Access: Advocating for the right to enjoy more of our inland waters, responsibly and sustainably
2. Combat Pollution: Acting swiftly to restore our rivers and lakes from the grip of pollution
3. Educate for Responsibility: Inspiring and informing water users on how to care for and preserve our natural spaces

Showing We Care Through Action

One of the most effective ways to demonstrate our commitment to blue spaces is through action. Clear Access Clear Waters encourages paddling clubs and individuals to participate in regular clean-ups, removing litter and other waste from our rivers, canals and lakes. Paddlers are often able to reach hidden areas, putting them in a unique position to monitor for environmental issues, report invasive species, pollution, river blockages and flag hotspots for environmental attention. This grassroots effort helps keep our waters cleaner and safer for everyone.

How You Can Support Sustainable Access

Achieving fair, shared, and sustainable access to healthy waters requires all of us to act responsibly. By being mindful of the environmental impact of our activities, we can help protect these spaces for everyone. Paddle cymru strongly believes that if all paddlers adopt the Clear Access Clear Waters principles, our actions will be noted, and our voices will be heard, providing a greater chance of improving access to clean inland waters across Wales.

We need political support to help bring about these changes. So, let’s share this vision with our representatives in the Senedd. Cleaner, more accessible waterways are possible—but only if we all play our part. Find and connect with your local Senedd member to ensure they know how important this issue is to our communities. Together, we can help safeguard our waterways for future generations.

These are useful links that will help you as well as let others know what you have done or found:

Log your cleanup on the Clear Access Clear Waters web page

Help stop the spread of Invasive species by following Check Clean Dry

Report Invasive species on the iRecord reporting page

Report pollution incidents, river blockages or suspicious activity to Natural Resources Wales

You can also engage with your local Senedd member – they like to hear of success stories in their constituency. Find your Senedd member

Clear Access Clear Water Charter leaflet - English

Clear Access Clear Water Charter Leaflet - Welsh