Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
Enjoying Water - Strategic Priorities for Water Related Recreation
in London and South East England
February 2011
The preparation of these strategic priorities was managed by a steering group
comprising representatives from British Waterways (South of England), Central
Council for Physical Recreation, Chief Leisure Officers Association, Department
of Health South East, Environment Agency, Greater London Authority, Marine
South East, Mayor of London’s Office Natural England, Natural England, Thames
Estuary Partnership, Tourism South East, South East England Partnership Board
and Sport England.
Prepared by
The University of Brighton
Contact:
Professor Andrew Church
University of Brighton
School of the Environment and Technology
Cockcroft Building
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4GJ
Tel: 01273 642288
email: [email protected]
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Final report February 2011
Table of contents
Page No
3
7
8
9
10
11
12
15
16
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21
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27
28
29
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31
33
35
40
43
50
Contents
Executive Summary
1.Enjoying Water –Vision and purpose
1.1 The vision
1.2 Identifying the strategic priorities
1.3 The evidence base
1.4 Data analysis and methods
1.5 Scope
2.The importance of enjoying water
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Health and healthy lifestyles
2.3 An inclusive society and cohesive communities
2.4 Environmental protection and climate change
2.5 Economic development and regeneration
3.People enjoying water
3.1 Changing population and demand
3.2 Participation and demand by residents and tourists
3.3 Partner views – participation and demand
3.4 Summary of participation and demand trends in London and the
South East
4.Our waters to enjoy
4.1 Introduction – supply and current use
4.2 The physical resource
4.3 Water related recreation activities on London and South
East waters
4.4 Accessibility and gaps in provision
4.5 Summary of supply
5. Opportunities and challenges
5.1 The national policy context for enjoying water
5.2 Population growth, aging and health
5.3 Maintaining people’s quality of life
5.4 Economic growth and technological change
5.5 Climate change and environmental protection
5.6 A special opportunity – the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games
6. Strategic Priorities
6.1 Priorities for Enjoying Water
6.2 Framework priorities
6.3 People priorities
6.4 Places priorities
References
Appendix 1 Activity Maps
Appendix 2 Analysis of participation and demand
Appendix 3 Analysis of the supply of water bodies and strategic waters
Appendix 4 Analysis of existing strategies and plans
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Executive Summary
The Vision
More people in London and the South East enjoy new and improved water
related recreation contributing to a better quality of life, health and
environment.
The strategic priorities and related actions outlined in this document will fulfil this vision
and have been developed in consultation with a range of national and local partners.
The strategic priorities are designed to:
•
•
•
•
Encourage action by a range of interested parties and individuals;
deliver well managed, new and better opportunities for more people to enjoy
water environments;
Tackle some of the issues that arise from changes in the demand for recreation,
the supply of water bodies and gaps in provision;
Ensure everyone can enjoy water environments.
The Steering Group have developed a programme for implementation with measures of
success for each of the strategic priorities and related actions.
The implementation of the priorities will require local actions by local organisations and
communities.
Opportunities and challenges
Enjoying Water will make a valuable contribution to meeting the key opportunities and
challenges facing London and the South East including:
•
•
•
•
•
Improving health, well being and ageing amongst a growing population;
Maintaining people’s quality of life and promoting social inclusion;
Contributing to economic growth and technological change;
Tackling climate change and environmental protection;
Delivering the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To address these opportunities and challenges it is important to embed the Enjoying
Water priorities within key national and local policy initiatives and debates.
The Evidence Base
The quantitative and qualitative evidence used to develop the strategic priorities
included:
•
•
•
•
•
•
An audit and mapping analysis of water resources;
Content analysis of key national and local policy documents;
Desk analysis of existing databases and previous research;
Partner interviews;
Seven local workshops;
A public consultation process.
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The evidence gathering and consultation process reflect the Coalition Government’s
localism agenda as they were designed to engage with the views of both local and
national partners.
The main concerns and wishes of partners are reflected in the strategic priorities.
The key
included
•
•
•
•
•
elements of the evidence base that informed the development of the priorities
information on the following:
The potential benefits of water related recreation;
Trends in participation and demand;
The nature of inland and coastal water resources;
Current levels of accessibility to water and gaps in provision;
The key goals of relevant national and local policies.
The scope
Water related recreation activities are defined as those that make direct use of outdoor
natural and artificial water resources (coastal and inland).
These can be divided into the following categories:
•
•
Sport and recreation activities that make direct use of water resources such as
angling sailing and sub aqua;
Land-based sport and recreation activities that are enhanced by proximity to
water resources such as walking, cycling, horse riding and bird watching.
The benefits of enjoying water
Well managed opportunities to enjoy the water environment have a number of positive
outcomes, including improved health, social inclusion, environmental protection,
economic development and climate change adaptation.
Outdoor exercise in blue spaces can help address the health problems arising from
inactivity in the UK which costs the NHS £8.3 billion per year.
Many forms of water related recreation involve moderate intensity exercise that will be
beneficial for health and some require high intensity activity. But more evidence is
needed of the specific health benefits of enjoying water environments.
Water related recreation offers opportunities for environmental volunteering that can
improve community cohesion and, especially amongst young people, can enhance
resilience, responsibility and employment chances.
Many water sports have developed social inclusion programmes, such as Canoe
Paddlability, ‘Calypso’ Surf Anywhere programme, and Get Hooked on Fishing.
People’s enjoyment of the water environment can have major economic benefits. In
2006 the UK leisure boating industry employed around 30,000 people and generated
£230m per annum in tax revenues.
A variety of voluntary, public and private sector organisations successfully manage
people’s enjoyment of the water environment at very sensitive environmental sites using
codes of conduct, permits, short closures, stewardship initiatives and environmental
strategies.
Similar measures are also used to tackle conflicts but some participants still encounter
conflicts with other users in certain locations.
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Participation and demand
In London and the South East nearly 4 million adult residents participated in water
related recreation in 2009.
There are considerable outflows of people from London to take part in water related
recreation and in 2005 Londoners made 1.8 million trips to a seaside coastline.
The population of London and the South east region is predicted to grow in the next
twenty years from 16 to over 18 million, with a very significant increase in the over 65
population. Consequently the demand for most forms of water related recreation is likely
to grow throughout the region, especially in areas where new housing developments will
be concentrated. This will create demand for more access to water environments and
pressures on some existing sites.
Supply and current use
London and the South East has some immensely high quality natural environments that
are highly valued by the population. Water is central to the character of some of the
most important natural environments and landscapes.
Many parts of the region support little recreational access to inland water resources and
the potential of some reservoirs has not been utilised. In part this is a result of the lack
of surface water and few rivers on the chalk north and south of London. It is also a result
of restrictive policies towards recreational access to many of the tributaries of the
Thames, along with the main Sussex, Hampshire and Chilterns rivers and to many of the
enclosed waters that are available in the region.
Many people in the region, especially those living in parts of suburban London, have
limited access to water bodies for certain popular activities.
For nearly all water related activities there are geographical ‘gaps’ in provision in parts of
the region where access to water resources is limited.
The Strategic Priorities
The strategic priorities have been divided between:
•
Framework Priorities (FP) - designed to embed Enjoying Water within the key
national and local policy initiatives and debates and address a number of
provision gaps.
•
People Priorities (PP) - show how more people of all abilities, ages, ethnic
groups and social circumstances can take part in water related recreation.
•
Places Priorities (PL) - aim to identify general issues that need addressing and
specific places where action is required to improve the existing provision for
water related sport and recreation, enhance access to water bodies and
watersides, and address specific gaps and shortages in provision.
The actions required to deliver the strategic priorities are outlined in section 6 of the
main document.
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The 9 strategic priorities are as follows:
Framework Priorities (FP)
FP 1. Maximise the benefits of the interactions between policies
environmental protection, climate change and water related recreation.
for
FP 2. Embed all forms of water related recreation in national and key local
sport, recreation and green infrastructure agendas.
FP 3. Promote good practice in resolving recreational conflicts.
FP 4. Use opportunities to enjoy the water environment to develop economic
growth, tourism and community regeneration.
People Priorities (PP)
PP 1. Improve people’s health and wellbeing through increasing participation in
water related recreation.
PP 2. Provide better information on accessible water resources for all and
changing water conditions.
PP 3. Improve school and post 16 education access for young people to enjoy
the water environment.
Place Priorities (PL)
PL 1. Develop an integrated approach to improve access to water especially to
‘doorstep’ opportunities, reservoirs and the Thames estuary.
PL 2. Address gaps in provision for all forms of water related recreation and
develop a network of hubs with multi-activity centres, ‘pay and play’
opportunities, rental equipment and good storage.
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1 Enjoying water - Vision and purpose
1.1 The Vision
These Strategic Priorities aim to provide a set of initiatives and actions that will
contribute to the protection and development of opportunities for people to enjoy water
in London and South East England.
The Vision
More people in London and the South East enjoy new and improved water
related recreation contributing to a better quality of life, health and
environment.
This document is designed to be a catalyst, to highlight the value of water related
recreation and to identify situations in which people enjoying water can make a
contribution to the economy, society and environment of London and South East England
(see Figure 1 below for regional boundary).
In keeping with the Coalition Government’s vision of the Big Society1, the Strategic
Priorities are inclusive and promote local community involvement: any organisations or
people with an interest in water related recreation can get involved in making the actions
happen - and in suggesting new actions. The implementation of the priorities will require
local actions by local organisations and communities.
The Steering Group, is chaired by the Environment Agency and comprises British
Waterways (South of England), Central Council for Physical Recreation, Chief Leisure
Officers Association, Greater London Authority, Marine South East, Mayor of London’s
Office Natural England, Thames Estuary Partnership, Tourism South East, SE England
Partnership Board, South East Public Health - Well Being South East and Sport England.
Figure 1 Project Boundary for Strategic Priorities for London and the South East
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Final report February 2011
The Steering Group partners have worked with the consultants to develop the Strategic
Priorities, and have committed to lead some of the actions and to monitor progress. The
Steering Group have now developed an implementation programme containing measures
of success which should be read with this document.
Despite the economic climate, the implementation of the strategic priorities is possible as
they are designed to build upon other areas of voluntary, public and private sector
activity (e.g. economic regeneration, flood defence, water and conservation
management) that play a role in influencing the future of water related recreation. This
approach can address the Coalition Government’s vision of the Big Society, with local
communities given the power to make decisions about the type of provision and facilities
that they want in their area.
1.2 Identifying the strategic priorities
This document sets out the evidence used for developing the Strategic Priorities in the
following sections:
•
•
•
•
Section 2 - the health, social, economic and environmental benefits of water
related recreation
Section 3 - the participation and demand trends for water related recreation;
Section 4 - the supply of water and facilities for water related recreation;
Section 5 - the key policy challenges and opportunities for water recreation in
London and the South East as identified in the statutory national and local plans
and policies;
The Strategic Priorities are then presented in section 6. Each priority is accompanied by
a case for action with a summary of the supporting evidence.
1.3 The Evidence Base
The quantitative and qualitative evidence upon which the strategic priorities are based
has been generated from a number of sources, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
An audit of all water resources (the coast, estuaries, main rivers, canals and
other waterways and enclosed bodies of water of more than 1 hectare) that is
analysed in a spatial inventory based in a Geographical Information System;
Content analysis of key national and local policy documents;
Desk analysis of existing databases and an extensive range of previous research
studies many of which are listed in the footnotes to this document;
Partner interviews with steering group organisations, sport National Governing
Bodies, and key knowledge holders drawn from national and local organisations
with responsibilities for water related recreation;
Seven local workshops - Ashford, Brighton, Chichester, Guildford, Hastings,
London, and Oxford (see report www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreration). These
were designed to bring together national and local partners, groups and
communities and engage them in the development of the priorities;
A public consultation process - a draft version of the strategic priorities was
placed on the project website (www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreration) for three
months from July to September 2010. Partners made comments and submitted
further evidence as part of this process and these were summarised for the
steering group. This final version of the strategic priorities has been adjusted to
take account of the consultation process.
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1.4 Data analysis and methods
The analysis to generate the evidence presented in this document involved comparing
data from the different evidence sources to draw out key conclusions. In order to identify
trends in participation and demand and the benefits of water related recreation
quantitative evidence was drawn from existing research studies and databases, the
quality of the evidence was assessed in terms of statistical reliability and sample sizes. It
was then compared with the qualitative evidence gained from interviews, workshops and
the consultation process.
New quantitative evidence on the supply of water resources for recreation was generated
using the spatial inventory of water resources and a range of catchment area mapping
techniques (see Appendix 1 for examples of maps). This was compared to other
quantitative data in existing research studies and qualitative data obtained from
interviews, workshops and the consultation process.
The qualitative content analysis of existing plans and policy documents involved
identifying important sections and statements in these documents which then informed
an analysis of key policy challenges. The views of participants at the partner workshops
provided valuable insights especially when placed alongside data gathered from other
sources including the analysis of plans, the consultation process and interviews with
National Governing Bodies or key knowledge holders. Stronger weighting was given to
views that were expressed by a number of different types of interviewees/consultees and
those that were aired in more than one workshop.
1.5 Scope
Water related recreation activities are defined as those that make use of outdoor natural
and artificial water resources (coastal and inland).
These can be divided into the following categories (See Table 1.1 for a full list of the
activities considered).
•
•
Sport and recreation activities that make direct use of water resources such as
angling, sailing and sub aqua;
Land-based sport and recreation activities that are enhanced by proximity to
water resources such as walking, cycling, horse riding and bird watching.
It is important to note, particularly in respect of any specific locations cited in this report,
that the development or promotion of recreational activities will be subject to the
appropriate planning regulations, landowner permissions, environmental assessments
and legislation. The citing of such examples, therefore, does not currently commit the
steering group partners to developing these further.
Table 1.1 List of water related recreation activities considered.
List of Water Based
Activities
List of Water Based Activities
continued
List of Water Related Activities
Angling
Canal Boating
Canoeing/kayaking
Coasteering
Kite buggying / kite land boarding
Kite surfing
Land Yachting
Model Boating
Motor boating/cruising
Outdoor swimming
Personal Watercraft
Rowing
Sailing
Sub Aqua
Surfing
Triathlon
Water Skiing
Windsurfing
Bird watching
Cliff climbing
Cycling
Horse Riding
Running/jogging
Spending time on the beach
Walking
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2. The Importance of Enjoying Water - The benefits of water
related recreation
2.1 Introduction
The provision of well managed opportunities to enjoy the water environment has a
number of positive outcomes, including health benefits, social inclusion, environmental
protection, economic development and climate change adaptation. This section presents
some of the key facts and figures that indicate the important role water related
recreation can play in improving society, the quality of people’s lives and the physical
environment.
2.2 Health and healthy lifestyles
There is now considerable evidence that physical activity in outdoor environments is
closely associated with better physical and mental health and reduced mortality. The
costs of inactivity in the UK are £8.3 billion per year, equating to £5 million for each
Primary Care Trust.2 Most of the potential health benefits in adults from physical activity
can be achieved through a total of 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on at least
five days per week (Department of Health, 20023). Many water sports, such as rowing,
surfing and canoeing, also involve periods of high intensity activity.
Outdoor exercise that takes place in the presence of nature can play a major role in
combating a range of the physical and mental health problems arising from inactivity. In
particular, outdoor exercise in green and blue spaces can help tackle physical illnesses
especially obesity, osteoporosis and Type 2 Diabetes.
It can also contribute to
enhancing mental well-being by reducing stress and improving poor self esteem and
mood. Estimates suggest that a total of 6% of the entire NHS budget is spent as a result
of inactivity4.
Even less physically demanding water related activities can offer health benefits. Angling
provides physical and health benefits as an activity that can be continued right through
life. In a recent major study 60% of anglers viewed their participation as ‘moderate
intensity’ physical activity with a further 34% considering it high intensity. Many anglers
reported other benefits such as relaxation and angling is also a good therapeutic activity
for people suffering or recovering from health problems5.
Walking by watersides may also create health benefits. A 2008 towpath visitor survey
conducted by British Waterways reported that 62% of respondents indicated that the
presence of a canal increased the amount of physical activity they regularly undertake.6
Recent towpath improvements for the Limehouse Cut that links the Thames to the River
Lee have been accompanied by a doubling in towpath use by walkers so that the number
of visits per year has increased by 51,0007.
A recent evaluation of Natural England’s Walking for Health Initiative found the costbenefit ratio of the scheme to be 1:7.18, so for every £1 spent on the initiative there
would be £7.18 worth of health benefit delivered8. As recent studies show, however,
more evidence is needed of the specific health benefits of recreational use of water9.
2.3 Inclusive society, cohesive communities and volunteering
The social benefits of participation in outdoor recreational activity have now been clearly
established by a significant body of evidence10. Benefits for the individual include having
fun, developing social networks, acquiring knowledge and skills, improving learning and
gaining a sense of achievement. These benefits contribute to communities as people
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Final report February 2011
take part in common activities and some individuals develop resilience and responsibility
and are diverted from crime and antisocial behaviour.
Sport and recreation play a role in tackling the problems facing deprived communities
providing access to facilities and opportunities is equitable and encourages excluded
people to take part 11. Outdoor activity and volunteering can improve the resilience,
responsibility and employment chances of marginalised young people but often
environmental volunteering opportunities are not part of policies targeted at young
people12. In many urban areas, however, canals and other waterways are amongst the
most accessible green spaces.13 British Waterways14 and others are increasingly using
the regeneration of urban waterways as a means of improving social inclusion.15
Many water sports, as part of a wider programme of community engagement, have
developed social inclusion programmes, such as Canoe Paddlability, ‘Calypso’ Surf
Anywhere programme, and Get Hooked on Fishing,16. In London there is an active youth
rowing scheme offering opportunities to participate from tasters through to competition
training for disabled young people17. Many water related recreation activities have very
well established organisations that support participants with disabilities.
There are a number of wider community benefits associated with volunteering and many
water sports have strong traditions of volunteers running clubs and providing
coaching18.Angling, which has a strong club and voluntary organisation tradition
encourages intergenerational socialisation and volunteering. One study found that at
various times 73% of respondents went fishing with friends, 41% with immediate family
and 39% with other angling club members19.
Around 60,000 people are members of the Marine Conservation Society and in
September 2009 on one weekend the Society arranged for 5,000 volunteers to take part
in beach cleans at 374 beaches20. Thames 21 is an environmental charity working with
London’s communities to improve the capital’s waterways and each year over 8,000
people volunteer to take part in a range of environmental and clean-up activities21.
2.4
Environmental protection and climate change
Climate change is likely to have profound impacts on the region’s coastal and inland
water resources. Steps need to be taken now to protect these environments, particularly
from inappropriate recreation and other developments22.
Badly managed water recreation can disturb sensitive species and damage habitats. In
South East England locations popular for water recreation such as the Solent and the
Thames, Medway and Swale estuaries are also the breeding sites for sensitive bird
populations.
Throughout the region, however, a variety of voluntary, public and private sector
organisations successfully manage water related recreation activity in very sensitive
environmental sites using a wide range of tools such as permits, short closures,
stewardship initiatives and environmental strategies. One example is the Royal Yachting
Association (RYA) working in partnership with the British Marine Federation to deliver the
Green Blue23, a major environmental programme aimed at the recreational boating
community and industry, which is raising awareness of environmental best practice,
conducting research and carrying out practical demonstration projects. The Professional
Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in 1995 established the Aware project to
promote responsible diving and the conservation of underwater environments24.
Well managed opportunities for people to enjoy water can contribute to significant
environmental improvements, biodiversity and inspire people to engage in social
activities which enhance the natural environment. For example, angling organisations,
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Final report February 2011
landowners and private sector operators have all worked in partnership with the
Environment Agency to contribute to a significant increase in the availability and quality
of riverine coarse and game fish habitat.25 Around one-quarter of anglers currently
contribute to environmental or aquatic habitat conservation projects26. The new joint
canoe and fish passes on the River Medway indicate how wildlife and recreation can be
jointly enhanced.
Technological improvements can reduce the impact of water related recreation on the
environment. The evolution of greener boat solutions, such as the electric day hire boats
used on the Norfolk Broads, are becoming increasingly viable for commercial use on
some waterways.
Significant benefits arise from developing sustainable transport links along waterways
that encourage healthier commuting and help reduce carbon emissions. A recent review
of the economic valuation of navigable waterways by the Environment Agency, states
that people using towpaths for travel and sightseeing are some of the main beneficiaries
of inland waterways along with boaters, walkers and dog-walkers.27
2.5
Economic development and regeneration
Sport and recreation have a significant positive economic impact on the English and local
economies28.
The British Marine Federation calculated that in 2006 the UK leisure boating industry
employed around 30,000 people and generated £230m per annum in tax revenues29.
Marine South East has estimated that the marine industry in the South East had a
turnover of nearly £11bn in 2004, 27% of the total for the UK marine industry and the
leisure marine sector contributed just over £1bn of this turnover.30 In 2005 the 671,000
yachtspersons who visited marinas in the South East region spent £21.5 million
supporting 670 jobs31.
The seaside accounts for between a quarter and a third of domestic holiday nights in
England32 and the south coast is one of the most popular destinations in the country. A
recent report33 estimated that in the South East region an estimated 46,000 jobs were
directly supported by seaside tourism in 2006/08. East Sussex (19,000 jobs), Kent
(9,400) and the Isle of Wight (7,900) all feature in the top 10 counties of England and
Wales for estimated year-round tourism employment in the same period.
The estimated annual output (GVA) directly attributable to the seaside tourist industry in
2007 in the South East region was £910 million, the highest of any region in England
and Wales.
Restored waterways can have significant economic impacts. The restoration of the
Kennet and Avon Canal linking the River Thames at Reading and the River Avon at
Bristol with was completed in 2002 with £25 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF). A series of economic impact studies reveal that tourism, recreation and functional
visits to the canal have grown by 46% since 1995 to a total of 11.2 million in 2009. The
visits supported or safeguarded 1,230 jobs and each year generated £42 million gross
direct expenditure in the local economies adjoining the canal, a figure that increases to
£55 million if indirect and induced spend is added. By 2009 the restoration had also
contributed to £150.9 million (at 2009 values) uplift in the capital value of properties
within 200 metres of the canal.34
Waterside regeneration is a key economic benefit derived from canals, rivers and
navigable waterways35. British Waterways estimated that it is influencing and enabling
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£11bn of regeneration around the country alongside its canals and rivers. The
redevelopment of Paddington Basin, on the Grand Union Canal, is one of the largest
canal-side regeneration schemes in England and investment in the regeneration of
Paddington Basin is already in excess of £2bn.36
The economic impact study of the proposed Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway in the
South East region estimated that this could generate between £16m and £27m per
annum of spend by locals and visitors, as well as over 7,000 additional boat movements
and 5,000 hire-weeks of additional activity on the waterway.37
Recreational inland and sea fisheries have considerable economic benefits38. Sea angling
contributes approximately £550m per annum39 to the national economy.
The most comprehensive study of the economic impacts of freshwater angling in England
indicates that in London and the South East region there were just less than 5 million
angler days in 2005, of which 4.4 million were for coarse angling, 470,000 trout
(fisheries) and 9,000 salmon & sea trout. This generated a gross expenditure of £220m,
with 4,700 jobs supported40. During the period 2004-2008 there was also an increase of
12.7% in rod and boat license sales in the Southern and Thames Environment Agency
regions41.
In a recent study of game fishing on the Rivers Test and Itchen, the Salmon & Trout
Association found that anglers spend £3.25m per annum on fees to fish the rivers, which
supports 120 full and part time jobs and a range of conservation projects.42
Many people participating in water related recreation spend considerable sums of money.
A number of activities have witnessed an increase in ‘pay and play’ facilities which all
indicate an increasing willingness amongst the public to pay for good recreational
opportunities.
Visitors to South East marinas in 2005 from overseas spent £396 per visit and domestic
visitors £21243. Table 2.1 below shows the amount at 2008 prices spent per trip by day
visitors to inland waterways.
Table 2.1 Expenditure values per activity per person per trip (2008 prices)
Visit Category
Mean Value 2006 - 2008
Powered boats (“boats with engine”)
£9.50
Unpowered boats (“boats without engine”)*
£3.46
Cycling
£4.40
Dog walking
£6.05
Leisure / heritage / museum visits
£9.79
Walking / rambling
£3.37
Pub visits
£8.25
Running / jogging
£2.91
Visits – to get somewhere
£10.52
Sat or stood
£3.15
Other
£4.07
All visits
£5.57
Source: Jacobs (2010)44 based on t he three year average values from the Inland Waterways Day Visitor
Surveys 2006, 2007 and 2008 uplifted to 2008 prices.
Earlier surveys found that canoeists at 2004 prices spent £3.14-£5 (depending on the
data source) per person per trip to inland waterways and anglers £1.80 to £7 per visit
(formal and informal angling on inland waterways were not separated) 45. Angling and
canoeing participation both require a series of expenditures on equipment, travel,
licence, permits and other items – all purchases that contribute to local economies46.
Even in the difficult economic circumstances of 20101/11 places where people take part
in water related recreation can create business investment opportunities. The new Solent
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Final report February 2011
Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has already identified the 1,750 marine related
businesses in the Solent as a key part of the local economy accounting for some 48,000
jobs with a Gross Value Added contribution of £3.6 billion. Businesses in this sector will
include recreation related activities in the marine engineering sector. The Solent LEP has
highlighted the investment opportunities in the marine sector as part its vision for
developing a growth hub based on strategic sector clusters47.
In other locations business investment opportunities linked to people enjoying water
environments maybe more modest but still of local significance for small businesses and
self employed workers. The Upper Lee Valley Landscape strategy noted that
improvements to local blue spaces could generate business income through ‘pay and
play’ facilities for water sports based on new water leisure sites and equipment hire.
Sales of organic products grown in the valley along with fairs, cultural events, guided
walks and visitor centres are also identified as future income generation opportunities for
local businesses48.
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3. People enjoying water - Participation and demand
3.1
Changing population and demand
Significant changes are predicted in the level and nature of the population of London and
South East and these are likely to occur despite the recent economic downturn.
Population in the South East outside London is predicted to grow from 8.2m inhabitants
in 2006 to 9.5m in 202649. London’s population will grow from just under 8m at the
moment to as much as 9m by 2031. 50
The data presented below suggest that for most water related recreation activities
participation and demand in recent years have either grown or remained static. Whilst
there is some variation in participation by age, gender and income, people from all social
backgrounds and all parts of the region take part in opportunities to enjoy water
environments.
If these trends continue a growth in the region’s population is likely to contribute to a
growth in demand for formal and informal water related recreation especially in locations
where new housing development and population growth are to be concentrated, such as
Ashford, the Thames Gateway and Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale.
3.2 Participation and demand by residents and tourists
There are several different sources of evidence on participation and demand and these
are discussed in a detailed analysis of participation and demand presented in Appendix
251. This chapter highlights the general findings and trends that emerge from the
analysis. The final section of the chapter considers the trends in particular sports and
recreational activities.
The national picture52
About a quarter of the UK adult population (26% [13 million people] in 2009) now spend
some of their leisure time in ways closely linked to coasts and inland waterways and
watercourses.53 This figure showed a slight declining trend since 2001 but there was an
increase in 2007 and 2009.
In 2009 around 10% of the adult population in the UK walked at the coast, 9% went to
the beach, 8% swam outdoors and 7% participated in boating activity. Since 2001, the
frequency of participation has increased in most activities, indicating that while slightly
fewer people take part overall in many activities, they do so more often. Some activities
have noticeably high frequency of participation levels, 11% of anglers and 8% of surfers
participated over 25 times during 2008.
Club membership rates are generally low and for many core sports and activities less
than 10% of all participants are club members.
For most water related recreation activities, participation rates are higher for men
compared to women, younger age groups compared to older ones and wealthier AB
groups compared to the other socio-economic groups. There are some exceptions to
these patterns including higher levels of women compared to men participating in canal
boating and general leisure time at the beach, and higher levels of people from the less
wealthy C2DE socio-economic groups taking part in angling compared to wealthier
groups. For most activities there is an increasing trend in female participation. In
absolute numbers, families account for the majority of participants for most activities,
with people who are from the older age category having the lowest participation rates.
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Trends in London and the South East54
In London and the South East just over 4 million adult residents participated in water
related recreation in 2008, rising to nearly 5 million people in 2009.
In the combined southern and eastern TV regions55 the highest participation rates for
specific activities were in outdoor swimming (13.2% of residents), spending general
leisure time on the beach (11.9%), coastal walking (11.8%), angling (2.7%) and
canoeing (2.3%).
Londoners are generally less active in water related recreation than those living in the
South East, and those living in the South East are generally less active than those living
in the southern postcodes that cover Hampshire, Surrey and parts of Sussex.
Evidence also exists, especially for London, to show that multi-sport hub sites can adjust
effectively to changing demand and meet a range of policy priorities. Establishing such
hubs to meet demand is a goal of the Mayor’s commitment to the future of sport in
London56. The Solent is already a major hub for the marine industry and has a high level
of demand for opportunities to people to enjoy water 57. Partners also felt demand from
a growing population was leading to an inland hub emerging around Milton Keynes.
Data for indoor and outdoor swimming combined suggests 7.8% of South East region
adult residents and 6.9% of Londoners swim at least once a week for 30 minutes or
more at moderate intensity58. This will be mainly at indoor venues.
Some of the 43 public outdoor swimming pools and lidos on London and the South East
have experienced growing demand in the last few years, depending on summer weather
conditions. The newly opened London Fields lido has seen user numbers rise from
117,000 in 2007/8 to 145,000 in 2009/10. Participation in major outdoor swim events
has grown sharply and 5,000 people swam in the 2010 British Gas Great London Swim in
the Royal Docks more than three times the number that took part in the first event in
2008.
200,000 anglers licensed to fish in England and Wales in 2005 are based in the South
East and London and these participation figures showed a substantial increase from
200059. London is the only place in England and Wales where there is more coarse
fishing on rivers than on still waters.
The River Thames Piers plan predicts demand will grow for river passenger traffic from
both commuters and tourists and this will require future passenger pier development on
the Thames by 202560.
There is evidence of considerable outflows of people from London for water related
recreation and Londoners in 2005 made 1.8 million trips to a seaside coastline61. This is
likely to involve large numbers of car based journeys but partners emphasised that
many participants used cars as storage facilities were not adequate at the sites they
visited. Coarse angling however, generates a net inflow of angling visitors to London,
with nearly 300,000 days per annum of visits for coarse angling, compared to 70,000
days of angling in London by Londoners. Anglers visiting the South East (mainly from
London) contributed about one-third of the annual fishing days. 62
3.3 Partner views - participation and demand
The local workshops were designed to gather a range of views about participation and
demand. While not in themselves robust evidence, the views obtained offer important
insights and by comparing the views of workshop participants with other forms of data
(e.g. consultation responses, interviews with National Governing Bodies and other
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partners) it is possible to develop a robust view of trends in participation and demand.
The key general insights on demand and participation obtained from workshops are
summarised in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Summary of workshop findings - participation and demand63
General issues - participation
The potential of Olympic legacy initiatives to increase participation in water related recreation through the use
of new and improved water spaces was not being fully addressed.
A lack of information on accessible spaces can constrain participation by new participants and those already
involved in a sport.
High quality, reliable and lively internet based information was required to encourage local residents and
tourists to take part in informal water related recreation.
Schools play an important role in encouraging new participants into water related recreation but had been
increasingly limited in their activities by health and safety requirements. Some schools were now more
experienced in tackling risk and safety issues.
In many activities more participants were using Pay and Play facilities and this limited their use of club based
sources of information, advice, codes of conduct and regulations.
Accessible opportunities for participants to progress in terms of skills and challenge are important to
maintaining participation.
Boat licence and registration arrangements especially day and week tickets could be improved to encourage
less regular users of navigations.
Pressures arising from increased participation and activity are linked to conflicts between cyclists and walkers
and between anglers, canoeists and cyclists.
General issues - demand
Demand for most activities will either remain static or grow.
More slipways and improvements to existing ones on the south coast and the Thames Estuary are required
especially with adjoining car parking.
Some canals and river navigations are now multi-purpose trails used for a range of activities.
Some long distance trails lack supporting facilities e.g. cafes, pubs and campsites.
Some landowners and farmers are concerned about the costs of meeting the demand for increased access and
some believe agricultural stewardship schemes could potentially be adjusted to provide funds to improve
access to water.
In the Solent area a desire for new and improved spaces and facilities was expressed by anglers and other
forms of recreation could make more use of the west side of the Test estuary, north of Hythe.
Some activities seek increased access to Thames tributaries accompanied by better facilities e.g. new portage.
Along the south coast recent growth in demand meant a number of hubs for water related recreation were
emerging along a ‘watersports coast’
Demand to complete gaps in Thames Path from a range of recreational activities.
Increased boating use of the Thames estuary creates demand for more temporary moorings and safe havens
for a range of craft.
The Thames foreshore is increasingly being accessed for informal recreation and formal activities by education,
conservation and archaeological interest groups. This requires improvements in the provision and management
of Thames stairs and slipways (see the Port of London Authority new riverside code) and more involvement
from each riparian local authority.
Tourist use of riverside spaces has grown and some passenger boat piers require improved coach setting down
points.
More urban beaches/lidos would be popular and outdoor swimming sites and lidos have seen a growth in
demand depending on the weather.
3.4
East
Summary of participation and demand trends in London and the South
The quantitative data that are available on participation in individual water related
recreation activities are incomplete and sometimes inconsistent between surveys64. As a
result, it is often unclear which water related recreation activities are driven by demand,
supply or policy. Indeed, workshop participants suggested individual activities can be
influenced by elements of all three drivers. Table 3.2 is based on the quantitative and
qualitative information set out in the demand analysis in Appendix 2 as well as, where
indicated, the findings of workshops, the consultation process and the interviews with
National Governing Bodies. Table 3.2 presents an estimate of participation for each of
the main water related recreation activities and discusses key trends including where
participation and demand may be affected by the supply of sites and facilities. The
quantitative data in Table 3.2 particularly informs the People Priorities designed to
increase participation.
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Table 3.2
Estimates of current participation in selected activities based on a
range of evidence 65
Trends
Activity
Data
Canoeing and
other paddlesports
2.5-3%
of
the
regional population
(approx
450,000
people).
About
31,000 of these are
recognised by the
Active
People
survey.
The
majority of paddlers
live outside London.
Coarse, game
and
sea
angling
2.5%
of
the
regional population
(approx
425,000
people).
The
majority are coarse
anglers and live
outside
London.
Frequency
of
participation is high
with many regular
anglers.
Dinghy sailing
1.2-1.4% of the
regional population
sail
for
fun
(200,000-240,000
people); 0.5% sail
competitively
(85,000 people, of
whom
approx.
50,000
are
recognised in the
Active
People
survey.
Kite surfing
0.2%
of
the
regional population
(35,000 people)
Leisure visits
to the coast
14m trips (2005)
from London and
the South East
Leisure visits
to
inland
water
25%
of
the
population to water
with boats, 18% to
The Active People data suggest that there has been significant
growth in canoeing since 2005/6. The Arkenford data support
this finding, especially in the period since 2007. Active People
indicates there is evidence of suppressed demand with people
interested in taking up canoeing The supply of opportunities is
significant, with the region possessing good touring water
(including parts of the coast) and some good play sections
(although those living south of London feel that more inland
touring waters and local play sites are required to meet
demand). Also many paddlers travel outside the region for
fast moving water. The workshops suggested that there is
latent demand for canoe polo and other disciplines such as
canoe touring and safari, particularly where good facilities or
routes are made available. There is no survey evidence to
support this claim.
Angling enjoyed steady growth from 2000 to 2005
(Environment Agency). Comparison of data from Arkenford
(2008-2009) and Environment Agency (2007) suggest
continued growth to 2008. Workshop participants suggested
that this growth is primarily in coarse angling, with a shift in
demand from rivers to lakes, reservoirs and commercial
fisheries. The 2009 Arkenford data suggests that there has
been an increase in sea angling (this is supported by the
workshop findings). It is notable that little angling takes place
in London, despite the presence of many moving and still
waters. There are no data on participation in game angling,
although the workshop participants stated that it remains in
high demand, particularly on the Test, Itchen and Meon
Rivers. Demand for coarse angling seems to be partly supply
and policy driven, with Environment Agency coaching
programmes
for
young
and
disadvantaged
anglers
contributing to growing participation in urban areas, and the
availability of new waters generating some new (as well as
some displaced) participation.
Sailing is very popular in the region, compared to the rest of
the country (Active People data). Few leisure sailors live in
London; the distribution of competitive sailors is more even
across the region. There has been a steady increase in regular
participation in the region. Workshop participants and partners
were concerned that the sport requires better facilities if this
growth in participation is to continue. Many people travel out
of the region, particularly to the National Sailing Centre at
Weymouth and other sailing centres in the South West.
Arkenford suggests that there has been a decline in
participation in competitive dinghy sailing since 2007,
although this is not supported by the Active People data,
which show an increase in regular sailing at moderate
intensity.
The Arkenford data suggest that participation has been
constant over the past 7 years, with no signs of growth. The
workshop participants, in contrast, felt that there has been
steady growth in demand, particularly at popular beaches
such as Camber Sands, where crowding and conflict can be an
issue during the summer season.
Data are partial and difficult to interpret. The England Leisure
Visits (ELVS) Survey suggests that around 7% of the
population visit seaside towns or the coast (2005), while the
Arkenford research suggests that approximately 10% of the
population makes trips the coast and 10% go to the beach
(2008). There are few trend data, although ELVS suggests
that participation rates fell around 10% between 2002/3 and
2005/6 but the data collection methodology changed,
meaning that direct comparison is not possible.
These data, from ELVS, are only at the national scale. ELVS
states that participation rates fell from 35% of the population
in 2002/3 visiting water with boats and 25% visiting water
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Motor cruising
&
Narrow
boating
water without boats
(2005)
0.7-1%
of
the
regional population
(110-170,000
people).
The
majority
live
outside London
Outdoor
Swimming
and triathlon
10-13%
of
the
regional population
(1.7-2.2m people).
Note
that
participation
is
highest in the south
of the region.
Personal
watercraft
0.6-0.8% of the
regional population
(100-130,000
people)
Rowing
and
dragon boats
0.5-1%
of
the
regional population
(85-170,000
people). Of these,
around 27,000 are
recognised by the
Active
People
survey.
Relatively
few Londoners row.
There are no data
for dragon boating
0.9-1%
of
the
regional population
(150,000–170,000
people).
The
majority
live
outside London
Sub-aqua
diving
Surfing
1-1.3%
of
the
regional population
(170-220,000
people)
Water skiing
and
wakeboarding
0.8-1%
of
the
regional population
(130,000-170,000
people).
Most
popular in the south
of the region
without boats but changes in data collection means these are
not direct comparisons.
Nationally, the structure of motor cruising is changing, with a
decline in the number of hire craft offset by a shift to the
ownership of larger and more luxurious craft, with different
mooring requirements.66 The Arkenford research suggests that
there has been a decline in participation since 2007, although
this is not supported by British Waterways data, which shows
a 4% increase. Registrations on British Waterways’ waters
have increased by 50% since 1991, while the increase from
2002-2007 on all inland waterways is nearly 30%.67
However, with the exception of British Waterways,
registrations on Southern and Thames waters have changed
little in the period 2002-2007, for both powered and
unpowered craft. The 2009 Arkenford survey suggests that
participation is falling.
Outdoor swimming has long been a popular activity especially
at the coast. Participation has tended to decline in recent
decades, although picking up significantly in 2009 (see
Arkenford data). The Active People survey suggests that
participation rates for swimming are declining nationally,
however this is a measure of all swimming activity and is
therefore not a valid indication of outdoor swimming trends.
Some lidos show a growth in demand. There are no data for
participation in triathlon. However, it is understood from the
British Triathlon Federation that demand is growing fast and
that applications to participate in some of the key events are
over-subscribed. Participant numbers have grown sharply in
large scale outdoor swim events.
Following a period of growth to 2008, participation is static
and expected to decline (according to workshop participants).
Demand is focused on particular locations as there are few
inland waters available and use is made of the coast and main
estuaries. Workshop participants claimed more use could be
sustained of the coast and estuaries if better access were
made available to slipways.
Active People data suggest that a large proportion of rowers
are regular participants of at least moderate intensity. British
Rowing report a growth nationally in competitive rowing and
expect interest in London 2012 to generate new participation
in competitive rowing. British Rowing is also developing
recreational rowing, which could lead to further increases in
participation. Workshop participants also suggested there had
been a recent growth in long distance rowing touring. From a
relatively minor activity, dragon boating now supports a
national league. However, regular participation is small, but
boosted by one-off events.
Growing nationally, from a small base. No trend evidence
available regionally but the workshop participants suggested
that it mirrors the national situation. Workshop participants
claimed that growth is constrained by a lack of sites close to
population centres with certain sites under threat and visibility
at many sites is poor, this means that participants have to
travel long distances to suitable sites.
Steady growth in the UK, but little regional data. Workshop
participants stated that paddle surfing had grown recently and
surfing demand tends to be confined to a few specific beaches
on the Isle of Wight, south coast and one beach in east Kent,
with many surfers travelling out of the region. The Arkenford
research suggests that there has been a decline in
participation since 2007, flattening out by 2009. This was not
the view of workshop participants.
Limited data are available on waterskiing and none on
wakeboarding. The Arkenford research suggests that
participation in waterskiing has declined in the period 20072008, but has since picked up. Waterskiers claimed at the
workshops that there were currently several good inland
facilities for water skiing in the region however sites were in
danger of being lost due to leases ending and health and
safety concerns. It was felt that there may be a shortage of
locations in future. There is no data to confirm this.
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Final report February 2011
Wind surfing
0.6-0.8% of the
regional population
(100,000-130,000
people).
Note,
there
are
more
participants
from
London than from
the rest of the
region
Participation in windsurfing has fluctuated since 2002. With
the introduction of new sports, such as kite surfing, it appears
that windsurfing initially lost out, with the sales of windsurfing
equipment collapsing in the period 2007-8 (workshop
findings). Since then it has become more popular. Part of the
problem for windsurfing according to workshop participants
has been a lack of suitable venues, given that a lot of the
coast, especially close to London, is seen as ‘unforgiving’ to
inexperienced windsurfers. There is demand for better coastal
provision to be made at Hayling Island (workshop findings).
Yacht cruising 1.6%
of
the The Arkenford data suggest that participation in sailing
and racing
regional population cruising grew significantly between 2007 and 2008 and has
(270,000 people). since flattened out. Workshop participants stated that due to
Those who race live rising costs some cruising boats are being used less or stored
predominantly
in during the recession but that use of such boats is likely to
the south; those grow as the economy recovers. National Governing bodies and
who
cruise
are research undertaken by other key partners suggests there is
more
broadly demand pressure for better management of moorings and
spread across the availability of safe havens in the Thames Estuary and for more
region
marina development in some coastal areas, to create more
capacity for touring by UK and European residents and to
support local economic development and coastal regeneration.
NOTE: the participation data used in this table are mainly from the Arkenford Market Modelling & Research
(2006-2008) Watersports and leisure participation surveys which estimates numbers of people undertaking
each of the activities at some point during the year. They are provided for guidance only. The participation
rates used are higher than the Sport England Active People survey estimates, and may in certain situations
over-estimate the significance of some activities that only take place in limited places or at limited times of the
year.
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4.
Our waters to enjoy
4.1 Introduction - supply and current use
The natural environment and water in particular, is central to the character of the
London and the South East region. Despite the presence of many large urban
settlements the region has some immensely high quality natural environments that are
highly valued by the population. The River Thames is highly significant in this respect, as
are parts of the coastline and protected areas such as the New Forest and the South
Downs National Parks. The river systems contribute to the high quality landscapes in
both National Parks and also the region’s 11 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The
water bodies in the region attract people from all over the world to experience the
outdoors and take part in sports events. The mapping analysis based on the spatial
inventory of the recreational use of water is combined with other sources of evidence to
examine the current use of the region’s water bodies, locations of overuse and underuse,
threats to existing sites and gaps in provision and facilities68.
4.2
The Physical Resource
The London and South East region has a range of water resources, with more than 5,500
km of rivers, 438 km of canal network, almost 2000 km of coastline and about 3,500
enclosed waters (See Figure 1). The topography of the region results in distinctively
varied river formations, with the River Thames and its tributaries draining most of the
north and London area, and the chalk rivers in Hampshire and East and West Sussex
(including the Test, Itchen, Meon, Adur, Arun, Ouse, Cuckmere and Eastern and Western
Rother) draining the southern part of the region.
The canal network, a legacy from industrial and commercial activities in the area, adds
to the character of the water resource and creates important links north from the
Thames and London (the Grand Union and the Oxford Canals), and to the west via the
Kennet & Avon and Basingstoke Canals. Plans exist to renavigate the Wilts & Berks Canal
and the North Wilts Canal to create new circular routes involving the River Thames.69
Restoration projects are on-going on the Chichester and the Wey and Arun canals.
On the region’s coast recreational activity takes place alongside major commercial
waterborne traffic using some of the busiest coastal waters and ports around England.
The Port of London Authority is the authority for a length of 150km of the tidal Thames
and this is an important commercial and shipping area (Tilbury is one of the top three
ports in the UK). The Solent area is also a highly important area for commercial and
recreation purposes. Its relatively sheltered location offers numerous harbours and
marinas for recreational activities as well as facilities for trading. Dover, Southampton
and Portsmouth are some of the busiest ports in the UK for various commercial
activities.
4.3
Enjoying water on London and South East waters
The coast
A total of 24 different water-related activities take place in the London and South East
region.70 Virtually all coastal waters are used for water related recreation. The south
coast and the Solent areas support 19 of these activities, with the most commonly found
being sea angling, sailing, recreational canoeing/kayaking, power boating, sea bathing,
kite surfing, windsurfing, rowing and walking.
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The Coast also offers 580km of ‘satisfactory legally secure path’71 although with some
areas in need of improvement, particularly around the Whitstable-Ramsgate area and
the Chichester Harbour to Southampton-Portsmouth area.
There are over 70 marinas on the coast, offering more than 17,000 walk-ashore berths
(an average of 230 berths per marina). Brighton Marina is the largest (1,600 berths),
followed by Chichester Marina (1,071 berths). Half of the marinas are on the Hampshire
coast, with a particular concentration on the River Hamble. There are also 10 marinas on
the Isle of Wight, with half the total berths being in Cowes. The East Kent coast and the
Thames Estuary are the least popular areas for marinas, with London having just 640
berths in five marinas. Figure 2 highlights the lack of marinas between Eastbourne and
Folkestone identified in recent studies72.
Figure 2 Marinas in London and the South East
Inland
More than 40% of the total length of inland rivers is used for recreational purposes, with
angling (on nearly half of all rivers) being the most common one, followed by walking.
Nearly one-quarter of the rivers are used for coarse angling, 13% are used for both
coarse and game angling, and just under 10% are game angling rivers (including some
of the finest chalk streams in the country).
The Environment Agency is the Navigation Authority on the non tidal Thames, from
Cricklade to Teddington (218km) which offers the longest inland public right of
navigation in the country, and is available for a range of water related activities73. A
number of weirs on the Thames (including Hurley, Boulters, Shepperton, Sunbury and
Hambleton) offer play spots for white water paddlesports which are often crowded at
busy times with paddlers queuing to access water.
The Environment Agency is also the Navigation Authority for the River Medway, which
offers 31 km of navigable rivers between Tonbridge and Allington, where it becomes
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Final report February 2011
tidal. More than 80% of the locks on the Medway have been modified to allow easy
access/portage for canoes and rowers. The River Rother (Eastern) offers 26.4 km of free
navigation between Bodiam Castle and Rye, while the Wey and Godalming Navigation,
controlled by the National Trust, adds a further 31.4km of navigation. There are also
navigations in north London (the River Lee Navigation) and Hampshire/Surrey (the
Basingstoke Canal).
The canal network is a major recreational resource for the region, offering potential onwater and near-water activities especially in the urban areas, where many rivers lack
easy access or are culverted. Cruising is the major activity on canals, followed by angling
and canoeing/rowing. The Oxford Canal, the Grand Union Canal and the River Thames
offer an interesting loop for cruising, as well as connections between London and the
Midlands canal network. The Kennet and Avon Canal offers a route west from London, to
Bath and Bristol. The Royal Military Canal is designated as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest and a scheduled ancient monument. It is a well fished area and the canal path is
well used, but has limited use for navigation partly due to environmental designations.
Boat trips are popular on the Wey and Arun canal, the river Wey and the Chichester
canal.
The region has a range of enclosed water bodies, with some large reservoirs and lakes,
many of which are former gravel extraction sites (i.e. along the Thames, in the
Blackwater Valley and along the Kennet). Only 14% of these enclosed water bodies are
used for recreational purposes, with a maximum of 9 activities on a single lake. The
most popular activities are angling, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.
Angling is the predominant activity, occurring on more than 430 enclosed water bodies,
of which 91% are for coarse angling. Bewl Water, East Warwick Reservoir, Farmoor
Reservoir and Arlington Reservoir are the largest venues for game angling. Dinghy
sailing is the second most frequent activity, but only takes place on 1% of the
lakes/reservoirs. Other activities include model boating, sub-aqua diving, rowing, and
waterskiing. A popular reservoir like Bewl Water even though it is relatively remote from
large population centres receives 200,000 visits per year and the development of open
water swimming opportunities are being considered.
Other activities using water as a backdrop include bird watching, walking, cycling and
horse riding. There are 27 RSPB reserves in the region, and over 50 coastal sites at
which managed bird watching takes place. Some of these, including the coast at
Dungeness, are nationally significant sites for nesting birds.
The Thames Path National Trail is a long distance trail that provides more than 294 km
of walking and also links in with other important trails (the Ridgeway, Colne Valley Way,
Grand Union Canal Way and the Berkshire Circular Ring). Part of the Thames Path
National Trail outside of London is open for cycling, with the longest stretches being
through Oxford (8.7km) and between Weybridge and Teddington Lock (16km).
Many of the canals and river navigations have become multipurpose trails allowing long
distance journeys by bicycle, foot, rowing boat and canoe but workshop participants felt
that in a number of cases supporting facilities are limited, such as car parking, portage,
drop off points for bikes or canoes, cafes, pubs and camp sites. There is evidence that
the increasing numbers of people using towpaths and watersides, often due to successful
restoration projects, has led to increased conflicts between walkers and cyclists. British
Waterways and partners launched in 2007 the 'Two Tings' campaign and the new
towpath Code of Conduct aimed at improving towpath safety for walkers and cyclists74.
Further details of the water bodies used for recreation are provided in Appendix 3 which
contains a list of strategic recreational waters in London and the South East.
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Final report February 2011
4.4 Accessibility and gaps in provision.
The London and South East region contains many locations where water recreation can
take place but many partners feel that access could be improved to water bodies to
encourage participation amongst new and existing users and to address spatial gaps in
the provision of facilities. The mapping analysis based on the spatial inventory of water
bodies used for recreation allowed the estimation of measures of accessibility to current
recreational opportunities (see for example Maps 3, 4 and 5 in Appendix 1). The maps in
Appendix 1 indicate the location of opportunities for people to undertake a range of
water related activities. The gaps in provision are identified by the mapping analysis
using the catchment area maps which indicate areas where urban populations lack
access to opportunities locally (within 5km) and on the ‘doorstep’ (within 200m).
Virtually the entire population of London and the South East lives within 5km of a water
resource (sea, estuary, river, canal or enclosed water) that supports at least one water
related recreation activity.75 The most common activity in this regard is angling, with
over 90% of the population being within 5km of waters supporting at least one of the
three principal angling disciplines (coarse, game and sea angling).76
Half the population lives within 5km of an inland opportunity to canoe or row,77 a quarter
of the population is within 5km of an opportunity for open water swimming,78 and just
under 20% are within 5km of opportunities for surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing and land
yachting.79
Less than a quarter of the population live within easy walking distance of a ‘door step’
water resource, regardless of whether or not it supports recreational activity.80
Table 4.1 summarises the accessibility situation for the principal water related recreation
activities in the region along with current gaps in provision. Some of the gaps listed in
Table 4.1 were identified by the mapping analysis. The significance of these gaps was
confirmed by comparing the results of the mapping analysis with quantitative and
qualitative evidence gained from existing documents and plans81, the views expressed by
consultees, workshop participants82, and interviewees from national governing bodies
and key knowledge holders. This comparison of different forms of data allowed a robust
analysis of the supply of facilities and spaces for water related recreation and the
identification of the most significant gaps in facility provision.
Table 4.1
Accessibility and gaps in provision for water-related recreation
Activity
Evidence from quantitative and qualitative sources
Angling
Accessibility - Angling opportunities are largely defined by the topography of the
region along with factors such as owning tackle and having knowledge of how to
fish. The peripheries of the region provide the game and sea angling (the chalk
streams of southern Hampshire, a few Thames tributaries and the upper reaches of
many of the Sussex rivers provide excellent game angling, while sea angling also
reaches into central London, on the tidal Thames). The lower, slower flowing rivers
in the core of the region support coarse angling. Many enclosed waters also provide
coarse angling and some trout fisheries like Chilham Lake (Kent) holding major
competitions.
Gaps - Some communities, particularly to the north, south and west of London, do
not have access to angling opportunities within 5km of home, although there are
rivers and enclosed waters nearby. A lack of development structures hinders
recruitment of new participants for coarse angling along with poor facilities in some
urban areas and limited access in parts of the Solent. For game angling in some
locations participants are constrained by a lack of affordable day tickets and
24
Map with
evidence
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Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
Canoeing
&
kayaking
Sailing
Rowing
and
dragon
boats
Outdoor
swimming
club/syndicate membership. There are no major gaps in facility provision for sea
anglers but some clubs lack young members and do not have certified training
arrangements. The major issue facing sea angling is a depletion of fish stocks due to
water quality and commercial fishing operations.
Accessibility - Opportunities to canoe and kayak are spread throughout the region.
The two major navigations in the region (the Thames and Medway) provide
extensive touring opportunities, with a number of weirs modified to provide white
water at often crowded play sites. Both rivers have good bankside provision,
including access to camping sites although there is perceived to be sufficient
demand to develop further opportunities on the Medway. The canals also provide
touring opportunities, including links to the national inland waterway network.
Gaps - There is a lack of access to non-tidal rivers and tributaries across the region
especially with stretches suitable for touring; this is acute in Hampshire, where there
are few alternatives. While there are opportunities on the Sussex and Hampshire
coasts, there is a lack of freshwater canoeing opportunities in the north and central
parts of the south of the region and in south and west London. This means that
substantial communities do not have good access to canoeing and kayaking waters,
especially fast moving water. Some of these gaps could be addressed by expanding
use of river stretches that are currently suitable for canoeing on the Hants Avon,
Western Rother, Mole and the tidal Sussex Ouse but where evidence from local
partners and governing bodies indicate demand is constrained by very limited access
arrangements or problems with ingress and egress. The new canoe venue at
Broxbourne will address some access issues in north London and the north of the
region but in the south play sites are limited to certain weirs where paddling is not
taken into account in the management of water release and flows.
Accessibility - The majority of the sailing opportunities are on the coast and the
main estuaries. The Solent and southern Hampshire coast are a major venue for all
types of sailing, both recreational and competitive. The Thames and Medway
estuaries are also significant sites for sailing. Inland, there are a number of lakes
and reservoirs that allow dinghy sailing.
Gaps - A lot of sailing activity takes place at the coast but substantial sections of the
region’s population lives further than 5km from a sailing venue. This is particularly
acute in north east and south London. More storage facilities for craft are required in
London, on the south coast and the Isle of Sheppey. Pressure on the Solent could be
eased by more access for recreation on the west side of the Test estuary, north of
Hythe. For those who don’t own boats more pay and play provision is required
especially in London. Existing studies indicate marina provision is also lacking on
parts of the south coast especially between Eastbourne and Folkestone and some
partners felt the current planning procedures for new marinas restricted potential
developments. Partners also felt more safe havens are required in the Thames
Estuary. Weed clearance is required at a number of locations. Slipways, especially
with nearby car parking, on the Thames estuary and the South Coast are lacking in
some locations or often need improving (a feasibility study at Shoreham did not lead
to the implementation of improvements).
Accessibility - The Olympic rowing facility at Dorney Lake, plus numerous regatta
courses on the River Thames, mean that the region is generally well provided for in
terms of competitive rowing. Dragon boats use some of these courses, as well as
other sections of the Thames navigation and some still waters, often in urban parks.
Recreational rowing takes place on the Thames and Medway Rivers and the canals.
There is also substantial sea rowing, along the mainland coast and around the Isle of
Wight.
Gaps - Lack of touring and recreational rowing opportunities in the central south of
the region. Need for lake/reservoir facilities on the north west edge of London and
possibly in the west of the region (flow levels often limit use of the Thames in an
area where demand is high). Some tidal Thames and coastal clubs have ageing
facilities that need refurbishing.
Accessibility - Although open water swimming is predominantly found at the coast,
there are also a number of inland sites in the region, in London and scattered across
the region. Some of these inland sites are lidos and formal facilities constructed for
swimming. Others are enclosed waters, usually part of local authority country parks,
or sections of river that have traditionally been used for swimming. It should be
recognised that some of this provision will only be available for events – typically
triathlons or ‘fun swims’ – or for specific activities, such as triathlon and lifesaving
training. There was concern amongst some partners that Environmental Impact
Assessment could have negative impacts on future events in some locations.
Gaps - Map 14 and 15 illustrates, provision is more scattered than for many other
activities but there are still gaps in provision in many parts of London and the South
East including more suburban parts of West and East London and the southern and
eastern areas of the region. For triathlon there is a shortage of waters for outdoor
swimming, especially in London, and facilities for running and cycling in close
proximity to swimming waters along with showers, changing facilities and good
25
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11,12
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Sub-aqua
diving and
snorkelling
Motor
Cruising
Water
skiing
&
Wakeboarding
Powerboating
and PWCs
Surfing,
windsurfing,
kite
surfing,
land
yachting
Model
boats
Bird
watching
Walking
Horse
riding
ingress/egress from the water.
Accessibility - There are six inland dive sites in the region and numerous
opportunities at the coast. The inland sites are well distributed (West London, East
Sussex, Kent, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire).
Gaps - Lack of visibility in lakes and the sea is often a problem. Opportunities for
deep water advanced training in lakes are very limited with many divers travelling
outside the region to Stoney Cove near Coventry. Wreck sites are popular and new
sites may be needed to draw demand away from hot spots. More facilities and
showers are needed at key sites.
Accessibility - Cruising takes place extensively on the canal and navigation network.
The Grand Union, Kennet and Avon and the Oxford Canals are particularly significant
in this respect, especially in allowing boat access into the centre of some of the
region’s major urban areas.
Gaps - A lack of supporting facilities on the Kennet and Avon Canal. On-line
moorings mainly in hotspot urban locations. Some repair and maintenance yards
used by private recreational boat owners in part of the Thames Estuary are under
threat of redevelopment.
Accessibility - These activities are found predominantly at the coast, particularly in
Sussex and Kent, along the Solent and in the Medway estuary. Inland on a number
of enclosed waters, typically formal mineral workings along the river valleys.
Pressure of use at London’s only club at Hounslow
Gaps - A need to improve Thorpe Park as an international quality venue. Lack of
cable tow or straight line cable sites (permanent or temporary) especially in the
south west and east of the region but cable tow does not meet the needs of disabled
water skiers.
Accessibility - Powered activities take place in much the same locations as water
skiing and wakeboarding. In addition, there is powered craft use of the Thames
estuary.
Gaps - Slipways and launching points for launching power craft in selected southern
estuaries.
Accessibility - Land yachting, surfing and kite surfing are very much coastal
activities, and are found all along the south coast, but less on the east coast of Kent
and the Thames estuary. Key kite surfing beaches are Camber Sands and Lancing.
In addition to being found at the coast where conditions are often demanding,
windsurfing takes place on a number of still waters, mainly reservoirs and former
mineral workings. There are major venues west of London and in the Thames Valley
where winds are suitable. There are other sites in south and north west of London.
Gaps - The provision of beaches managed to cater for the growing popularity of
these activities and popular beaches, such as Camber Sands, become highly
congested in the summer. On line information on sewage overflow events and up to
date warning systems are needed (pilot projects are being run in conjunction with
South West Water and Thames Water for bathers and surfers on beaches and rowers
on the Thames).
Accessibility - There are clubs in Berkshire (Beale Park, Pangbourne),
Buckinghamshire (Milton Keynes), Greater London (Hampton Court, Kensington
Gardens and Rickmansworth Aquadrome), Hampshire (Setley Pond, Brockenhurst),
Kent (Maidstone), Oxfordshire (Hinksey Lakes, Oxford), E & W Sussex (Chichester,
Hove, Eastbourne and Southwater, Horsham)
Gaps - Some council owned waters and lagoons were increasingly being used for
other activities or not suitably maintained for model boating.
Accessibility - There are 27 RSPB reserves in the region, including regionally
significant sites at Dungeness, Pagham Harbour, Pulborough Brooks and Brading
Marshes (the first RSPB site on the Isle of Wight). There are also nearly 50 water
bodies that are recognised for bird watching, as well as much of the coastline.
Gaps - A number of walking trails could provide additional opportunities for bird
watching.
Accessibility - There are 580kms of ‘satisfactory’ legally secured access along the
coast. The Thames Path is nearly 300km long, and stretches from the Cotswolds to
the Estuary. In addition, there is a coastal path around the Isle of Wight and a
number of river valley walks, including the Blackwater, Itchen, Lee, Meon, Solent,
Stour, Sussex Ouse and Wandle Valleys. Canals and navigable river towpaths offer
many leisure and commuting walking routes in London and the Mayor of London’s
plans for better green and blue spaces will provide improved routes on a number of
watersides.
Gaps - Coastal access gaps in parts of Hampshire and Kent and on some riverside
routes in London. The Thames Path is nearly complete in London but some sites
need attention and the Thames Estuary City to the Sea is needed to link the path to
the coast.
Accessibility - There are a number of bridleways situated around and along water
bodies (e.g. Bewl Water during the summer months). Riding on beaches is a much
desired activity but only occurs on a limited number of beaches (e.g. Camber Sands)
26
16
17
18
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Final report February 2011
Cycling
Gaps - Access restraints to some beaches and limited opportunities to park horse
boxes near beaches. Some busy bridleways shared with other users may need
designated sections for riding along the side of the route.
Accessibility - There are 8 National Cycle Routes in London, including routes along
parts of the River Thames and the Grand Union Canal. Sustrans’ GOAL (Greenways
for the Olympics and London) seeks to connect the National Cycle Routes to other
cycle routes that have a connection to the Olympic sites. This includes proposals for
a new foot and cycle crossing of the Thames between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf
and the Waterlink route in south London is near completion. There are a number of
Connect2 projects in London and the South East, some of which use waterside
routes. Outside London, the main water-related cycle routes include the Thames and
Kennet & Avon Cycle Routes, towpaths besides the Grand Union and Oxford canals
and sections beside the Basingstoke canal and the Wey navigation. There are
concerns shared by walkers of overcrowding on some routes (e.g. Regents Park) and
narrow sections (e.g. Grand Union)
Gaps - Future Sustrans plans include opening the Grand Union Triangle in
Buckinghamshire, The Thames Estuary Path building on the detailed Sustrans/DCLG
study in 200883, improving access along the Medway and besides the Wey and Arun
canal linked to restoration projects.
20
4.5 Summary of supply
Overall, as the mapping analysis and the other evidence summarised in Table 4.1
indicate, the supply of water resources in London and the South East presents a mixed
picture. The coast, the main inland navigations and the canals offer a high level of
recreational access and use, for a large number of activities, on land and water. Some of
these locations, such as the Solent, Hampshire chalk streams, Thames, Medway and
Grand Union Canal, are of national and international significance. In addition to the
international sailing venues on the Solent and the highly prized games fisheries on the
Test, Itchen and other rivers, there are international training and competition rowing
courses at Dorney and Caversham Lakes and on a number of stretches of the Thames,
while the Broxbourne white water course, just outside the region, will provide an
international venue for canoeing and rafting. Only water skiing and canoeing of the
water based sports have so far identified, in partnership with Sport England, a list of
Significant Areas for Sport (SASPs)84.
Yet, as the maps for angling, canoeing and rowing illustrate, many parts of the region
support little recreational access to water resources for these activities and the potential
of some reservoirs has not been utilised. In part this is a result of topography: there is
little surface water and few rivers on the chalk north and south of London. But it is also a
result of restrictive policies towards recreational access to many of the tributaries of the
Thames along with the main Sussex, Hampshire and Chilterns rivers and to many of the
enclosed waters that are available in the region. This has a significant impact on many
people in the region, especially those living in parts of suburban London, who have
limited access to water bodies for certain popular activities. This paucity of access much
beyond the coast and public navigations has an even bigger impact on minority
activities, such as scuba diving and water skiing, where there is often little inland
provision. The evidence summarised in table 4.1 is particularly addressed by the Places
Priorities which are the strategic priorities developed to improve access and address
gaps in provision.
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Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
5. Opportunities and challenges
5.1 The national policy context for enjoying water
The positive outcomes of participation in water related recreation were well recognised
by the former Labour administration and are equally relevant to the ‘Big Society’
proposed by the new Coalition Government, in which citizens, communities and local
government will be encouraged to come together to address the opportunities and
problems facing Britain. The following policies have been agreed as part of the
development of a comprehensive Programme for Government:85
•
•
•
•
•
Give communities more powers, including reform of the planning
system, giving communities the right to bid for state-run services and
support for the creation of neighbourhood groups;
Encourage people to take an active role in their communities,
including measures to encourage volunteering, charitable giving and
appropriate skills development for young people;
Transfer power from Central to Local Government: including giving
councils a general power of competence and abolishing Regional Spatial
Strategies, with planning and housing decisions to be made at the local
level;
Support co-ops, mutuals, charities and social enterprises, and
support them having a greater involvement in running local services.
Money held in dormant bank accounts will be used to create a Big Society
Bank capable of providing finance to non-governmental organisations;
Publish Government data, with a ‘right to data’ to ensure that the public
can have access to Government datasets.
The Big Society Vision is also accompanied by the new localism policy agenda that
emphasises the role of communities in establishing local policy priorities and this will be
defined more fully in the Localism Bill to be introduced to Parliament in late 2010 early
2011.
Further White papers for Health86 and for the Natural Environment87 will also be
important contexts for initiatives encouraging people to enjoy water environments. This
means that much current policy is subject to change over the life of these strategic
priorities, and the sections set out below should be understood in this context. This is
especially true in relation to planning. Outside London the South East Plan is likely to be
revoked but the London plan remains the planning framework for London boroughs.
The strategic priorities are designed to ensure water recreation delivers benefits for
London and the South East that will contribute to economic development, social well
being and environmental quality. To achieve this, the strategic priorities should be
integrated with other policies addressing the key opportunities and challenges that will
drive and shape the future of the region.
Appendix 4 provides an analysis of current and past national, regional and local policies
and strategies that are the wider policy context for the strategic priorities for water
related recreation. This section draws on this analysis to:
• identify the key challenges facing London and South East
• highlight the significant opportunities for water related recreation created by the
plans and strategies addressing these challenges.
5.2 Population growth, ageing and health
The South East is likely to face major changes in the levels of population growth (to
9.5m inhabitants by 2026), with one person of at least 60 years old per two
28
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
economically active people by 202688. Similar levels of growth are expected in London,
with a likely population of 9m by 2031. Rather than ageing per se, London expects its
population to diversify, in terms of age (more young and old people) and sociodemographics (a greater social and ethnic diversity than is currently the case)89.
Maintaining the health of a diverse and ageing population will be a major challenge. The
importance of exercise in preventing obesity and other diseases has been recognised in
health and sports policies. The physical and mental health benefits of sport and outdoor
activity are emphasised in Sport England’s Strategy 2008-2011,90 and in the Mayor of
London’s future commitments to sport91. The National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence in 2008 produced guidance on the promotion and creation of physical
environments that support increased levels of physical activity which is highly relevant to
Enjoying Water as it emphasises that public spaces and paths must be designed and
managed to encourage physical activity92. A range of and social marketing tools are also
designed to promote physical activity including the Change4Life Campaign. The ‘Active
celebration’ toolkit93 provides an evidence base to support organisations seeking to
develop the physical activity and health legacy of the London 2012. The mental well
being benefits of volunteering linked to London 2012 are recognised by the ‘Inspire Mark’
initiative that funds non-commercial organisations to encourage participation by
volunteers.
Since the majority of the new population will live in urban areas, such as the Thames
Gateway and East London, there will be increasing pressure on local resources and
outdoor spaces. The extension of the London Green Grid and similar initiatives elsewhere
will offer potential to create new open spaces. Of particular significance for water related
recreation will be the development and extension of London’s Blue Ribbon Network which
recognises of the full potential of the many rivers and enclosed water bodies located
close to urban populations (see Appendix 1, Map 1) and partners in interviews felt that
reservoirs and enclosed water bodies located near to London, especially those to the
west and north, could usefully be integrated into the Blue Ribbon Network.
Opportunities for water related recreation will arise from the development a variety of
services for outdoor recreation, including health initiatives designed for the changing
population demographic. The Blue Gym pilot in the South West of England is an example
of greater integration between provision for recreation and the promotion of health and
well-being. Many partners in workshops and interviews felt it should also be trialled in
the London and the South East region.
5.3 Maintaining people’s quality of life
House building has been lagging behind the rise in the number of households, in London
and the South East. This is expected to continue, with more households being formed as
a result of population growth and more people living alone and independently. This
means that housing affordability will decline, leading to persistent problems of poverty
and disadvantage, throughout London and the South East, with a continuing link
between poverty and poor housing. It is possible that both London and the South East
will become increasingly socially polarised, with a growing contrast between the wealthy
and poor parts of the region. This is currently seen to be a greater problem in London,
where there will be a new focus on people’s quality of life, through addressing major
inequalities in housing, health and environment94.
Faced by these challenges the London Plan prioritises maintaining residents’ quality of
life, which is seen to include access to appropriate community, recreation and leisure
facilities (including locally accessible green space). Outside London under the new
localism agenda local authorities will be responsible for setting house building targets in
their areas now regional targets have been revoked95. Green infrastructure, will be
essential to developing socially cohesive communities especially in areas of new housing
29
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
development. Natural England is committed to ensuring that green infrastructure is an
integral component of all planning and development decisions in England96 and that
opportunities to engage with and be inspired by the natural environment are reachable
from people’s homes97.
Along with local green spaces, strategic areas managed for visitor recreation will play an
increasingly important role in maintaining the quality of life especially the National Parks
in the New Forest and South Downs and the three regional parks in London: the Lee,
Colne and Wandle Valleys.
Green infrastructure planning presents opportunities for ‘doorstep’ water related
recreation providing the potential of ‘blue’ spaces is adequately addressed. The National
and regional parks also contain a number of waterbodies and watersides currently used
for recreation and there may be potential to develop further opportunities.
5.4 Economic growth and technological change
It is accepted that globalisation will continue to shape the economies of London and the
South East and an updated skills and knowledge base is essential to ensuring that the
population benefits from new employment opportunities. The London Plan also
emphasises the need to attract and retain a highly skilled and entrepreneurial workforce
that is capable of driving economic growth and technological change.
Local economic development policy has undergone recent change under the Coalition
Government. New Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are to be established outside
London and in June 2010 the Mayor of London announced that the London Development
Agency would cease to exist and its activities would be undertaken within the Greater
London Authority. The LEPs are joint local authority-business bodies and some partners
felt they might offer an opportunity to influence policy issues in relation to planning,
infrastructure, enterprise and business that have implications for water related
recreation.
A good water related recreation offer is part of making London and the South East an
attractive place to locate, for workers and business. Water related recreation is often a
key element in local tourism economies. The London Tourism Action Plan 2009-201398
and the Tourism Strategy for the South East99 both stress the need to support the
tourism industry to develop workforce skills and world class products which will provide
opportunities for tourism businesses that meet demand for water related recreation.
One of the keys to maximising economic growth, as highlighted in the London Plan, is to
create easy, safe and convenient access routes between home, work, leisure and support
services. Waterways offer considerable potential in this regard, particularly for their
waterside paths that have multiple uses, for commuting and leisure. The London Plan
recognises the potential of the Thames, Grand Union Canal and other larger waterways
to offer new forms of sustainable transport around the city.
Outside London, the potential of waterways is more limited, although many of the
region’s larger towns and cities are built along rivers and canals. Measures to improve
the economic role of ‘blue’ travel routes will enhance recreational opportunities.
5.5 Climate change and environmental protection
Addressing climate change is seen as one of the biggest challenges across the region for
the next few decades. For the South East, this is essentially about reducing the region’s
carbon footprint as a contribution to preparing for the impacts of climate change. This
will mean voluntary changes in the behaviour of residents, businesses and all others who
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Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
live, work, visit or invest in the region. In addition, London is faced with a greater
incidence of flooding and with the likelihood of increasing stress on drinking water,
especially in the hotter summers.
Across London and the South East, there will be a need to readdress issues such as the
reduction of resource usage, conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.
In some situations recreational activity can conflict with conservation designations and
environmental management.
In terms of water related recreation, the key driver is to achieve better use and
management of the available resources, encourage users to engage with environmental
challenges and to capitalise on the new opportunities presented by climate change and
the need for water management. This will include ensuring that any new water storage
facilities (to address drinking water shortage and flood storage capacity) are designed to
maximise their recreation and conservation benefits, as well as their primary water
resource functions. Strategy for the River Thames, its tributaries and the Thames
Estuary is particularly important in this respect, with plans for the development of new
flood channels and habitat (fresh water and salt marsh) offering a range of opportunities
to develop recreational provision. Partners also highlighted the role of Shoreline
Management Plans in managing opportunities for people to enjoy coastal water
environments and the need to engage with mineral operators and Minerals and Waste
Development Frameworks to identify and safeguard future inland opportunities.
Flood defences at the coast and other estuaries are also important, again by offering the
potential to create new wetland sites, but also by ensuring that access along the coast,
and between land and sea is enhanced, in line with the legislation in the Marine and
Coastal Access Act 2009 that will also establish Marine Conservation Zones that may
provide improved wildlife viewing opportunities. The Balanced Seas project will work with
partners including recreation interests to recommend Marine Conservation Zones for
inshore and off-shore waters in the South East.
Inland, especially around London, the Water Framework Directive, with its requirement
for a River Basin Planning system100, will similarly foster a more holistic approach to
water management and engineering, and could, along with investments in flood defence
and sustainable urban drainage systems,provide new opportunities to develop large and
small scale environmentally friendly recreation provision.
Partners gave specific local examples of where water management projects had already
created recreational benefits ranging from small scale fishing opportunities linked to new
sustainable drainage systems at the former Betteshanger colliery site in Kent to the
major recreational role played by some flood balancing lakes in and around Milton
Keynes. Future opportunities to generate new places to enjoy water environments
include Regional Habitat Creation Programmes linked to Thames 2100, designed to
restore habitats lost to sea level rise, and the jetties to enable the construction of the
Thames Tideway Sewer Tunnels.
5.6 A special opportunity - the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Mayor for London has set out London’s aspiration to contribute to national 2012
legacy commitments101, particularly in encouraging 150,000 new participants in sport
towards Sport England’s target of getting 1 million people doing more sport by 2012. To
achieve this, London will need new sports facilities, the location of which will be
determined in a new facilities strategy to be prepared by Sport England and the Mayor of
London.
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Final report February 2011
The 2012 Games also offer an unrivalled opportunity to implement a regeneration
programme in East London that will include the improvement of rivers and canals in the
Lee Valley. The Olympic Park Legacy Company will be responsible for planning and
developing a number of improved waters and watersides over the next 15-20 years. The
new blue spaces and watersides in the Olympic Park area may offer many people
important new locations for informal recreation.
Outside London new international quality facilities for water related recreation have been
developed or enhanced at Eton Dorney for rowing, at Broxbourne for canoeing and just
outside the region for sailing at Weymouth. These will offer some residents of London
and the South East major new opportunities for recreation and interactions with the
natural environment.
The social legacy of the 2012 Games is an important driver outside London. The South
East Partnership for the 2012 Games has developed a ‘Triple Gold’ strategy, emphasising
the potential to generate economic (new markets and a healthy workforce), social (new
aspirations for wellbeing and quality of life) and sporting (new healthy lifestyles)
legacies. The key actions to underpin the region’s offer to Olympic activity include an
emphasis on sustainable technologies, particular support for the Paralympic Games,
engagement with local employers and showcasing the region through a festival and
cultural programme.102 The ‘Active celebration’ toolkit103 is also designed to inspire
people and develop a physical activity and health legacy linked to London 2012.
A key challenge is to convince some of those involved in water related recreation of the
significance of the Olympic legacy for their sports and activities. Workshop participants,
national governing bodies and key knowledge holders all indicated they were concerned
that non-elite participants in water sports would see little benefit from the legacy and
that legacy initiatives in east London were not oriented to maximising the use of the new
water spaces created. Partners representing walkers and cyclists, however, indicated
their approval for the plans for greenways and cycle routes in the Olympic Park.
The first four Strategic Priorities are called Framework priorities and these aim to
address the opportunities and challenges outlined in this section by addressing ‘gaps’ in
the principles and guidance used for a range of government initiatives.
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6.
Strategic Priorities
6.1 Priorities for Enjoying Water
Enjoying Water will make a valuable contribution to meeting the key opportunities and
challenges identified above that face London and the South East including:
•
•
•
•
•
Improving health, well being and ageing amongst a growing population;
Maintaining people’s quality of life and promoting social inclusion;
Contributing to economic growth and technological change;
Tackling climate change and environmental protection;
Delivering the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The strategic priorities identified here are also designed to:
•
•
•
•
Encourage action by a range of interested parties and individuals;
Deliver well managed, new and better opportunities for more people to enjoy
Water environments;
Tackle some of the issues that arise from changes in the demand for recreation;
the supply of water bodies and gaps in provision;
Ensure everyone can enjoy water environments.
The strategic priorities have been divided between:
•
Framework Priorities (FP) There are a number of key ‘gaps’ in government
initiatives, principles and guidance that do not ensure water resources, the
environment, open space and sports are sufficiently oriented to water related
recreation. These priorities are designed to embed Enjoying Water within key
national and local policy initiatives and debates and address a number of
provision gaps..
•
People Priorities (PP) Enjoying water provides a range of health and well being
benefits. These priorities show how more people of all abilities, ages, ethnic
groups and social circumstances can take part in water related recreation.
•
Places Priorities (PL) These priorities are a response to the current patterns of
provision and trends in participation in water related recreation. They identify
general issues and specific places where action is required to improve to access to
water bodies and watersides, and to address specific gaps and shortages in
provision. They cover places where high levels of population growth are predicted
and existing densities. The emphasis on specific places means these priorities
contain the largest number of delivery actions and detailed rationale. There is
considerable evidence to indicate that with good management recreational
activities and environmental conservation designations can co-exist. Many user
organisations including some anglers, sports clubs and conservation bodies
undertake considerable voluntary conservation activity. At any location identified
in the priorities changes in use would have to be appropriate given existing uses,
environmental conditions and conservation designations.
For each priority set out below a set of key delivery actions are outlined and a case for
action justifying the development of the priority and actions is provided which is based
on the different forms of evidence analysed in this document and the appendices. The
earlier quantitative and mapping evidence identified a number of geographical gaps in
the provision of opportunities to enjoy water environments (see Table 4.1) and these are
addressed a range of priorities and actions particularly the Places Priorities.
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The evidence also indicated that due to the growing or static levels of participation in
most water related activities (Table 3.2) and the predicted levels of population growth in
London and the South East, a growth in demand for most forms of water related
recreation is likely to occur throughout the region, especially in areas where new housing
development will be concentrated. The evidence on participation and demand are
particularly reflected in the People Priorities and actions. The evidence gathering and
consultation process, in keeping with the Coalition government’s localism agenda, was
designed to engage with the views of both local and strategic partners. The key concerns
and wishes of partners are also addressed by the strategic priorities.
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6.2 Framework Priorities (FPs)
FP1. Maximise the benefits of the interactions between policies
environmental protection, climate change and water related recreation.
The actions required:
for
•
Ensure the implementation of the Water Framework Directive andRiver Basin
Management Plan projects supported by the DEFRA family and flood defence
schemes benefit water related recreation through improved water quality and the
planning of major engineering projects so that they address recreational uses and
opportunities;
• Ensure second generation Shoreline Management Plans create opportunities for
more people to enjoy the coastal environment (note that there are 6 SMPs on the
South East Coast);
• Examine the potential for Environmental Impact Assessment requirements to
impact on water related recreation activities and events (note here the future of
outdoor swimming and triathlon events);
• Assess the potential recreational impacts of the Marine and Coastal Access Act
and advise the Balanced Seas initiative and the Marine Management Organisation
on the recreational value of specific coastal waters;
• Ensure future marine plans developed by the Marine Management Organisation
for areas in South East England and address the requirements of people seeking
to enjoy the water environment;
• Engage with Natural England to explore how to encourage farmers to make more
use of Higher Level Stewardship grants for permissive linear access to riparian
land and to examine the potential for farmers and landowners to improve low
impact access and portages on riparian land as part of Entry Level Stewardship
schemes for water course fencing and buffer strips;
• Ensure opportunities for enjoying water environments associated with the after
use of mineral workings are fully developed by engaging water recreation
organisations and interest groups with mineral operators and local authorities
responsible for Minerals and Waste Development Frameworks.
The case for action:
Many workshop participants and partners presented us with examples of where water
related recreation is not routinely considered to be an integral part of the policy arenas
addressing the challenges of environmental protection and climate change. Examples
were many and included flood defence schemes, water quality management, minerals
planning, environmental stewardship, renewable energy schemes and assessments to
determine potentially damaging operations and activities under environmental
designations.
There are also policies where the importance of water related recreation is clearly
recognised such as the marine plans to be devised by the Marine Management
Organisation and the London Plan policies for the Blue Ribbon Network, the Thames,
canals and rivers.
But partner views and the plan analysis revealed a range of environmental policies,
strategies and large engineering projects (e.g. jetties built for the Thames Tideway
Sewer Tunnels) that with inputs from key sport and recreation organisations could play a
role in providing new and improved opportunities for people to enjoy water
environments. Recreational benefits achieved in this way are likely to be significant in
delivering the strategic priorities if direct funding for sport and leisure is limited.
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FP 2. Embed all forms of water related recreation in national and key local
sport, recreation and green infrastructure agendas.
The actions required in relation to national agendas:
•
•
•
•
Engage with sport by sport requirements for outdoor water recreation facilities –
consistent with the National Governing Body Whole Sport Plans and Significant
Areas for Sport identified in partnership with Sport England;
Take forward the outcomes and implications relevant to water recreation of the
consultation ‘An invitation to shape the Nature of England’104 and the White Paper
on the natural environment to be produced in 2011;
Comment on the Department of Communities and Local Government consultation
on, and implementation of, Planning Policy Statement: Planning for a Natural and
Healthy Environment;
Promote the role of recreation and wider enjoyment of the water environment in
green infrastructure guidance for local planning authorities.
The actions required in relation to strategic local agendas:
•
Work with the London Green Grid partners, to aid the delivery of opportunities to
enjoy water environments;
• Engage with the London Mayor’s Legacy Plan for Sport and the Olympic Park
Legacy Company to ensure better provision for water related recreation;
• Work with local partners and Groundwork to improve access to water in the Colne
and Wandle Valley Regional Parks;
• Support the implementation of water related recreation initiatives for both the
New Forest and South Downs National Parks;
• Connect canoe, rowing, walking, cycle routes – both within the New Forest and
South Downs Parks and from the wider countryside into the Parks;
• Make more of enclosed waters and examine the potential for developing new
access to enclosed waters in or close to the New Forest and South Downs Parks;
• Identify the recreational potential from new habitats created for conservation
purposes in the National Parks, especially at coastal locations;
• Improve recreational access to rivers within the New Forest and South Downs
Parks especially the western part of South Downs;
• Promote the role of opportunities to enjoy water environments in sub-regional
strategies such as Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH).
The case for action relation to national agendas:
Many partners felt that it was important to ensure the significance of people enjoying
water is acknowledged in new policy, guidance, strategies and plans implemented by the
coalition government at the national level and in key local policies, such as those in
National Parks, which adopt a strategic approach to outdoor recreation.
Planning for culture, sport, the natural environment and waterways in London and the
South East is currently in a state of change. Organisational change in bodies such as
Natural England and the Environment Agency, a white paper on the natural environment
to be published in 2011 and the proposed mutualisation of British Waterways are likely
to create significant changes for the planning and management of water bodies and
watersides.
There is also a need to more fully embed opportunities to enjoy water environments in
green infrastructure planning. Water spaces and green infrastructure can play a role in
the challenge to maintain the quality of resident’s lives in London and the South East
region. Partners, including local authorities and other planning bodies, observed that
where local planning authorities and others are in favour of providing for water related
recreation, they have little access to knowledge of the spatial requirements of most
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water-related activities. Adjustments to green infrastructure guidance and planning could
provide local planning authorities and local strategic partnerships with a suitable level of
information for addressing opportunities to enjoy water environments in green
infrastructure and open space plans. This would also assist local authorities seeking to
co-operate over the use of strategic waters bodies.
In its consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Statement: Planning for a Natural and
Healthy Environment,105 the Department of Communities and Local Government has set
out to streamline aspects of planning policy and this represents the first time that
biodiversity, land quality and outdoor recreation and access have been addressed within
a single policy statement. Partners felt it was imperative to ensure that opportunities to
enjoy water environments are addressed in full in the statement, both in terms of
access, sport, recreation and play, and in ensuring that the positive contribution that
water related recreation can make to environment and landscape protection is
recognised. This has particular significance for London and the South East, since green
infrastructure planning has been identified as a major cross-cutting policy theme. There
are examples of good practice in planning for ‘blue spaces’ especially in London and
Ashford but many partners argued that water spaces are not given sufficient attention in
the planning process and that opportunities are missed to develop water recreation
facilities and access in conjunction with new riverside and coastal property
developments.
The case for action in relation to strategic local agendas:
In London, a significant development for sport planning is the Mayor’s Sport Legacy Plan,
developed to take advantage of the potential impact of the London 2012 Games on
sports participation. While including water related sport, the plan does not address the
full range of water related recreation activities. A key challenge for many partners is
ensuring outdoor water related recreation benefits from legacy planning.
Outside London, the South East Cultural Partnership (SECP) has developed a plan for
culture and sport that does address a broad range of sport and recreation activities, but
only those relating to the SECP agencies. A number of partners noted that in the
planning process for sport and recreation this has marginalised some significant water
related activities (e.g. walking, riding by water and informal outdoor swimming), along
with sports that do not receive Sport England recognition/funding, and a host of
conservation-related activities that involve water. It also lessens the influence of those
agencies in the South East with culture and sport in their remit that do not report to
DCMS – notably the Environment Agency and Natural England. This is particularly
significant in terms of planning outside London, where the development of local area
agreements and sustainable community strategies may occur without guidance about
the extent to which many water related recreation activities could help the achievement
of performance targets and planning goals. At the national level sport planning is also
changing and in this situation each National Governing Body is developing a Whole Sport
Plan (WSP) and will be seeking to protect strategic sites and locations for their sports.
The National Parks within the region, the New Forest and the recently established South
Downs are key recreational opportunities and have water resources and stretches of the
South Coast foreshore within their boundaries. Pressure on both Parks is likely to
increase due to predicted patterns of population growth. Existing studies and the views
of partners indicate that there is a limited amount of accessible enclosed inland water
available for recreational use in both parks. Within both parks there is also currently a
lack of connectivity between routes in and outside the Park for particular activities to
enable touring e.g. canoeing, rowing, walking and cycling routes. Both parks have been
developing an approach to managing water related recreation.
The New Forest National Park management plan notes that some parts of the coast are
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not accessible to the public however new development is to be resisted in this area. The
recreation management strategy indicates the importance of both the Calshot Activity
Centre and Lepe Country Park are as gateway sites to the park and advocates that these
sites are well maintained and designed. The strategy also outlines three priorities for
water based recreation between 2010-15 which include developing more interpretive
materials for visitors to the coast, work with user groups to improve management and
develop codes of practice and work in partnership with the Solent Forum. Partners noted
that there are also water bodies just outside the Park with the potential for increased
water related recreation that along with better connectivity between cycle/walking routes
could help ease pressure on sites in the Park.
The South Downs became a National Park in March 2010 and the Authority established in
April 2010. Prior to this the South Downs Joint Committee commissioned a study of
opportunities and priorities for water related recreation that identified several gaps in
provision. There is limited recreational access to key rivers in the western part of the
South Downs and poor access from bank to water on all the estuarine waters within the
park. This not only inhibits doorstep recreational opportunities but also means the full
tourist potential of the rivers at Shoreham, Arundel and Lewes is not harnessed.
FP3. Promote good practice in resolving recreational conflicts
The actions required:
•
Take good practice examples relating to recreation and conservation conflicts,
and address the main conflicts and how they can be ameliorated;
• Roll out the good practice lessons from the operation of the Thames River User
Groups, the Solent Forum and the Port of London Authority;
• Maintain and promote the Best of Both Worlds website and ensure links to good
practice guidance are available through other web-based information (see PeP2
above);
• Support the implementation of further codes of conduct – especially for PWCs –
including governance and regulation (recognise good practice in Thames Estuary
for PWCs through Port of London Authority and local clubs);
• Support management arrangements at crowded beaches popular for kite and
wind surfing.
The case for action:
Many people enjoy water free from conflict and difficulty. Partners also provided many
examples of localised conflict often involving users, landowners and those responsible for
local management or environmental designations. At certain sites recreational use also
conflicts with the conservation goals of National Parks and other designated areas. Some
conflicts between users (e.g. anglers and canoeists) have been the subject of a number
of government studies and initiatives. Conflicts can also occur between boat users and
residents in river and harbour side developments often because of noise issues. Well
managed opportunities to enjoy the water environment often require measures to
ameliorate conflicts.
Many partners in interviews and workshops highlighted examples of positive approaches
involving water recreation organisations and those responsible for local and
environmental management. These included the Best of Both Worlds website to
encourage the responsible pursuit of outdoor recreation supported by the Central Council
for Physical Recreation, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Countryside
Council for Wales.
Examples of good localised conflict management highlighted by partners often involved
well respected codes of conduct and included River User Groups on the Thames, the
Solent Forum, and the Port of London Authority’s Harbourmaster’s River Users Forum
and the code of conduct on the use of personal watercraft.
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FP 4. Use opportunities to enjoy the water environment to support economic
growth, tourism and community regeneration.
The actions required:
•
Develop the role of water related recreation, especially low cost activities such as
swimming and walking, to address the needs of deprived communities, especially
in inner London and at the coast: East Brighton; Hastings/Bexhill; Isle of Wight;
Urban South Hampshire and Littlehampton-Bognor;
• Engage with Local Enterprise Partnerships outside London and the organisations
responsible for economic development in London to ensure that opportunities to
enjoy water environments are, where appropriate, addressed in their priorities
and suggested approaches to local planning;
• Enhance the tourist potential of improvements to Thameside recreation including
Thames Estuary Path, passenger piers, foreshore and beaches;
• Explore the potential tourist and leisure impacts of waterway improvements
including the Grand Union canal corridor near Heathrow;
• Through existing and future studies, assess the potential regeneration role and
recreational use of water spaces in Lee Valley particularly in relation to Olympic
developments.
The case for action:
The analysis of plans and the engagement with partners revealed a number of economic
development initiatives, plans and strategies where water related recreation could
contribute significantly to the challenge of economic regeneration and improvements in
the quality of life in deprived communities.
Partners felt the new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to be established outside
London by the Coalition Government and the Mayor’s proposed reforms to local
economic development in London may offer opportunities for partners involved in water
recreation to shape new policy initiatives. The LEPs are joint local authority-business
bodies and will seek to influence the business and policy environment for a range of
issues of relevance to water recreation including planning, infrastructure, enterprise and
business start ups. Some partners are concerned about the current planning procedures
for new marinas and LEPs may provide a forum for considering possible changes.
In some locations water recreation can contribute further to existing regeneration
measures for watersides and harbours that already have a strong tourism dimension
(e.g. Littlehampton and Bognor).
In other areas, especially Hastings/Bexhill, Walthamstow Wetlands, and the Lower Lee
Valley/Olympic Legacy Park, partners felt the role of water related recreation in
regeneration could be more fully developed and that any planning applications for water
sports facilities should have clear goals for social inclusion.
A number of proposed initiatives to improve opportunities to enjoy water environment
along the tidal Thames and other waterways in London were identified as having the
potential to contribute to local regeneration by stimulating tourism visits. These included
the River Thames Piers plan, sponsored by the London Development Agency and the
Mayor, which will enhance leisure and tourist opportunities especially if the setting down
locations for coach and bus passengers are well selected.
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6.3 People Priorities - (PP)
PP 1. Improve people’s health and wellbeing through increasing participation in
water related recreation
The actions required:
•
Develop a Blue Gym trial in a deprived area of the region – possible locations
include Inner London, Lee Valley, coastal towns or the Isle of Wight;
• Improve health and physical activity by linking the water recreation organisations
with the health sector;
• Support county sports partnerships to use water based sport to increase
participation for all.
• Examine the evidence base for the potential of mass participation events such as
open swims, to encourage increases in physical activity;
• Develop the evidence base on the physical and mental health dividend and the
benefits to people with disabilities of improved access and new opportunities for
water based recreation;
• Ensure free of charge social marketing and intelligence tools such as change4life
and Active People support water recreation partners with measures to encourage
participation.
The case for action:
The analysis of plans and strategies indicates that addressing the health and social
inclusion agenda is a leading priority in London and the South East linked to the
challenge of a growing deprived and ageing population. Access to the natural
environment can be a major component in improving the region’s mental and physical
health.
In recognition of this, Natural England is piloting the Blue Gym concept in south west
England, as a means of connecting people with therapeutic physical activities in
attractive water-related environments. Partners indicate that the Blue/Green Gym is a
valuable approach partly because it has a good public profile, often involves low cost
activities and could have many benefits to London and the South East especially if
adopted in deprived coastal or inner urban areas.
Existing studies note that the evidence on the specific physical and mental health
benefits of water based recreation is quite limited and partners stated that information
on the opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy water environments is
fragmented and spread around a range of websites and publications by sport
organisations.
There is limited evidence that mass participation water sport events, such as for open
swimming, are attracting large numbers of people and the potential of these events to
encourage increased participation needs to be assessed.
Existing research also shows that increasing physical activity requires voluntary changes
in people’s behaviour which can be stimulated by good social marketing. Few of the
partners who aim to stimulate participation in water related recreation make use of
current social marketing intelligence and tools despite some of them being freely
available.
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PP 2. Provide better information on accessible water resources
changing water conditions
The actions required:
•
•
•
•
•
for all and
Support improved information flows for all people and measures to develop the
tourism potential of opportunities to enjoy the water environment;
Link disparate information sources through a single web portal or single web site;
Assess the effectiveness of pilot projects providing information sewage overflow
events to warn recreation users on English beaches and rowers on the Thames;
Examine the potential for data monitoring water levels and flows as part of
planning recreational use of water;
Assess the effectiveness of Blue Gym mapping project in providing information
about access opportunities.
The case for action:
London and the South East have a large and varied supply of coastal and fresh water
resources. Many of these are known locally and regionally (and some internationally) to
be of high quality. There is no comprehensive database about which resources are
available for water related recreation, and under what conditions or circumstances.
Many partner organisations have recognised the need for an inventory of resources,
including accessibility, to ensure that recreational pressure is spread in the most
effective and environmentally sustainable way possible. At workshops participants stated
that even they do not know where they are allowed to go, nor where they can find
facilities suitable for their activity (e.g. paddlers wanting play spots) and that such
difficulties were enhanced by the rise of ‘pay and play’ facilities as less information is
now obtained through clubs.
Many partners felt that existing internet based sources of information on where to go
and what to do were not comprehensive, quite limited in the information provided and
could be made more interesting by links to internet spaces (e.g. community maps/user
reports) that communities and clubs could populate with up-to-date information on
events and comments about the locations.
Technical information and data from the Environment Agency and water companies on
water levels, pollution and sewage overflow events is becoming more available but
workshop participants stressed it could be made more easily available and was very
useful for determining when certain water spaces should and should not be used.
Pollution and sewage monitoring information was very valuable to anglers and sports
that require immersion in the water since water quality can deter and encourage
participation in these activities.
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PP 3. Improving school and post 16 education access for young people to enjoy
water environments.
The actions required:
•
Recognise the growing reluctance of schools to take pupils off-site and provide
guidance on the ways in which liability and insurance for water related recreation
can be addressed;
• Maintain the work of Sport England linking to the new lottery objectives to
prepare coaches to work with school children and assess its impacts on water
related recreation coaching;
• Use evidence to examine the potential of post 16 education students undertaking
courses in coaching for water based sports playing a role in youth mentoring and
sport development structures, via national governing bodies;
• Explore with Natural England, the potential for developing educational access to
water environments through stewardship and other agri-environment schemes;
• Develop further opportunities for young people to take part in volunteering in
relation to water environments and highlight good practice.
The case for action:
Many existing studies show the value of outdoor school trips for recreation or education
for enhancing learning, developing skills, building confidence, improving health and
understanding the natural environment. Partners stressed that for many people their
first experience of water related recreation had been on school trips which played a
crucial role in encouraging young people to take part, especially when clubs in a number
of sports are finding it hard to maintain numbers of volunteer youth coaches. Partners
outlined the recent health and safety challenges facing the organisers of school trips
involving water related recreation. Some felt that certain schools had very recently
become more confident in dealing with risks and safety but there was widespread
agreement that safety, liability and insurance were still major concerns for schools.
Also water related recreation trips needed experienced instructors and given the
growing pressures on teachers’ time a positive view was taken by partners of the Sport
England initiatives to work through schools preparing coaches to work with school
children in deprived areas.
In post 16 education, outdoor trips take place often as part of accredited courses for
coaching qualifications in water based sports and partners felt there might be
opportunities for students on these courses to play a wider volunteering and mentoring
role in sport development structures.
Recent studies by the Sustainable Development Commission suggest that young
people's wellbeing, personal responsibility and employment chances can be improved by
taking part in outdoor exercise and environmental volunteering. They also indicate that
often environmental volunteering is a missing component of policy making for young
people. In the Thames estuary, however, partners highlighted the work of Thames 21 as
an example of good practice in encouraging young people to volunteer in water
environments.
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6.4 Places Priorities (PLs)
PL 1. Develop an integrated approach to improve access to water especially to
‘doorstep’ opportunities, reservoirs and the Thames estuary
Actions required to improve ‘doorstep’ opportunities:
•
•
•
Enhance the Blue Ribbon Network in London and extend it through links to the
rest of the region especially waters in North Kent to encourage London residents
to use water bodies in the region just beyond London and to highlight
opportunities in London for residents of bordering areas;
Work with partners who manage current facilities that are ‘doorstep’ opportunities
for large coastal and urban communities to develop new approaches to
equipment/clothing storage and low cost rentals to encourage local use and to
help reduce the need for private car travel from home to water;
Map the uses of currently accessible enclosed inland water bodies in/close to
London and in urban South Hampshire and audit the degree to which water
company plans and engineering projects address the full range of water related
recreation activities.
Actions required on access to reservoirs:
•
•
•
•
Engage with water companies to develop a strategy for recreational and wider
environmental use of reservoirs especially those close to main urban areas and
London (especially in the Lee Valley and in West London), examine the role of
reservoirs in addressing gaps for rowing (north west London), sailing (north east
London), cable tow/straight line cable waterskiing and ensure new cycling and
walking opportunities are linked to existing routes;
Identify improvements to increase the effectiveness of the water company
Conservation Access and Recreation (CAR) reports;
Identify approaches for managing opportunities to enjoy water on reservoirs in a
way that is consistent with the health and safety requirements of operational sites
and encourages owners to state the risks where they wish to limit recreation;
Ensure that any new reservoirs developed in the region are planned to
accommodate a mix of water related recreation activities and examine their
potential to act as deep water dive training sites.
Actions required for the Thames Estuary:
•
•
•
•
•
Engage with the Thames Estuary Partnership and the Thames landscape
strategies to develop a process involving recreational partners to identify which
Thames Estuary steps, stairs, jetties, slipways, river bus pontoons and old
industrial infrastructures are, or could be, strategic recreational access
opportunities, with the long term aim of ensuring each riparian local authority
area contains at least one good quality slipway and landing stage available for
public use;
Examine the options for different organisations to take responsibility at
strategically important Thames access points for management and improvements
(e.g. Port of London Authority or local authorities or clubs);
Consider the provision of new moorings and safe havens in the Thames Estuary
especially between North Foreland and the Isle of Sheppey and in the Medway
Estuary;
Note the requirement, under Thames 2100, to restore habitat lost to sea level
rise through Regional Habitat Creation Programmes that have an emphasis on
compensation and mitigation that may also create opportunities for enjoying
water environments which should be maximised;
Secure paddle/rowing access to the Medway and assess if demand is sufficient to
develop further access opportunities and campsites.
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The case for action improve ‘doorstep’ opportunities:
Regional participation data show that there is a large net outflow from London of water
related recreation participants. Many of these stay within the South East but there is also
a net loss to the South West (especially Poole Harbour) and the East of England. There is
little indication that London is a water related recreation destination for many people
and, even where it is, this is often as a subsidiary purpose of a visit (people fishing while
visiting friends and relations in London, for example).
Partners indicate this in part reflects the different natural environments to be found
elsewhere, especially at the coast, and the nature of competition sites, particularly for
sailors, rowers and paddlers. But it also reflects the limited quality and accessibility of
water resources for some activities in and close to London and the lack of either ‘pay and
play’ facilities or good quality ‘doorstep’ opportunities which partners stress are
important in drawing in new participants and promoting social inclusion. For angling
there is a wide variety of fishing waters in London, but few are used to capacity.
It is an economic and sustainable development priority to reduce recreational travel by
developing facilities of sufficient quality so that people no longer have to travel to distant
venues or destinations outside the region. The need is not so much for major facilities
and opportunities (where people will still travel because some locations offer very
distinct sporting opportunities), but for smaller ‘doorstep’ ones that allow the local
community to gain access to a range of activities, largely without financial constraint.
The London Plan and the Blue Ribbon Network provide valuable strategic direction for
aspects of water related recreation in the capital including water environments that are
‘doorstep’ opportunities. The mapping analysis, existing plans and partner views also
suggest that the impacts of the Blue Ribbon Network on water related recreation can be
further enhanced by formalising the networks links to water bodies outside London,
especially those in regional parks, and by more directly addressing some of the activity
gaps and demand pressures.
The case for action on access to reservoirs:
Some of the large reservoirs in London and the South East owned by water companies
currently provide good opportunities for people to enjoy water environments. The
recreational management of reservoirs is sometimes successfully sub-contracted to local
organisations with appropriate experience. The analysis of the supply of water bodies
and information provided by partners highlighted a number of current and planned
reservoirs that had potential for increased recreational use in areas where demand is
high and there are gaps in provision for sailing, rowing, cable tow/straight line cable
waterskiing, and outdoor swimming/triathlon.
In promoting new supply, it must be recognised that environmental safeguards may be
required. Many partners in interviews and workshops felt that the annual Conservation,
Access and Recreation Reports the water companies are statutorily required to produce
for Defra were not effective mechanisms for fully harnessing the potential of reservoirs
and enclosed water bodies for sport and recreation, and they felt that consequently not
all water companies met their obligations towards recreation under the Water Industry
Act 1991 and the 2000 Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation.
Water company representatives in interviews and at workshops stressed that demands
for access for sport and recreation had to be balanced against operational requirements
and health and safety issues. The challenge of health and safety was an issue for many
partners with some suggesting that certain major resource owners are becoming
increasingly risk averse in their approach to allowing access to their waters. The loss of
scuba diving and, potentially, swimming, from a number of lakes and reservoirs are
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examples. Recent guidance on liability for owners, operators and recreationalists
provided by British Waterways and the Forestry Commission was seen by partners as
valuable, as was the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents guidance on water
safety and leisure safety.
The case for action for the Thames Estuary:
The London Plan and many partners also indicate that in the Thames estuary certain
historic steps and slipways along with the foreshore have been neglected and can be
unsafe. The last comprehensive study of recreational access facilities to the tidal Thames
was the 1995 Port of London Authority study of steps, stairs and landing places. Since
then demand for access to the foreshore has increased for education, conservation,
archaeology and recreation. Resources are limited and partners stressed consideration
needs to be given to identifying in each riparian local authority strategic steps,
stairways, jetties and slipways where recreational demand for further use exists and
responsibilities for improvements and management can be clearly agreed.
Access improvements relating to water recreation in the Thames estuary will become
more pressing as the area is part of the Thames Gateway an identified growth area that
will accommodate up to 160,000 homes. Numerous studies have identified the need for
high quality local green and blue spaces in the Gateway to ensure a good quality of life
for existing and new residents. The Thames, the Medway and other water bodies are
central to the Gateway’s identity and planned developments. The Thames Gateway
Delivery Plan wants the area to be an eco-region with sustainable regeneration
promoting carbon reduction.
The analysis of existing plans for the Gateway and the views of partners indicate that the
redevelopment proposals for this sub-region will offer new opportunities for formal and
informal water related recreation in easily accessible ‘doorstep’ locations that will
contribute to sustainable regeneration (e.g. on the 2km of Thames waterfront and
Barking Riverside). The Thames Gateway also includes water bodies, such as the
Medway, that are already popular for people enjoying water environments and would be
further enhanced by additional provision. New facilities could also address some of the
existing recreational gaps in the Gateway identified in existing studies and by partners,
in particular the need for better managed moorings, safe havens and improved slipways
in parts of the Thames Estuary and the need for paddle/rowing touring opportunities.
The Port of London Authority has provided more buoys for temporary moorings but some
partners stressed further safe havens/moorings were still desirable in the lower Thames
estuary.
45
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
PL 2. Address gaps in provision for all forms of water related recreation and
develop a network of hubs with multi-activity centres, ‘pay and play’
opportunities, rental equipment and good storage.
Actions required to address gaps:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Take steps, including feasibility studies, to identify where new connections are
required to waterside long distance walking/cycling routes to remove/reduce gaps
(Thames estuary, Medway and other main rivers/canals);
Address the lack of ‘pay & play’ opportunities – large potential on the West
London and Lee Valley reservoirs and sheltered waters near the coast;
Identify strategic locations to support beach riding;
Work with partners through the three Thames strategies and Thames Estuary
Partnership to explore the feasibility of Thames beaches and related lidos;
Explore the potential for more marina development on the south coast between
Eastbourne and Dover (Marina/transit birth developments in the Solent will be
dependent on the Solent Forum’s Strategic Guidance Review 2010 of Recreation
and Tourism);
Encourage canal restoration projects and improve facilities on the Kennet & Avon
Canal;
Address key spatial gaps and requirements on inland waters for angling
development structures in London and other urban areas; river canoeing and/or
recreational rowing on the Hants Avon, Thames tributaries (e.g. Jubilee river)
Western Rother, Mole and the tidal Sussex Ouse; local authority lakes and waters
for use by model boaters; deep water diving sites for training in the south of the
region; open swimming in the eastern areas of the south of the region possibly at
Bewl water; canoe play sites in the south and east of the region through
enhancing existing sites on the Medway at Yalding, Adur at Shoreham and
smaller sites on the Arun, Sussex Ouse and Cuckmere rivers;
Address portages around inland structures – weirs, etc;
Examine the options for water ski cable tow/straight lines cables in Kent and
South Hants as a way of reducing usage of powered boats;
Recognise the need on the south coast (e.g. Shoreham) and Thames Estuary for
improved slipways with parking and on shingle beaches for sheltered access
to/from the sea for unpowered craft.
Actions required to develop a network of hubs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create a combined strategic network of waterside multipurpose trails for walking,
cycling, public transport and bird watching (inc. hire facilities);
Include in hubs the notion of user progression routes from sheltered still waters
to the sea, and from door step opportunities to travel to specialised facilities;
Explore the role of hubs in providing craft and equipment storage and rental at
the coast and in Central London;
Examine the potential for a hub based on opportunities in the Lee Valley as part
of partnership approach to ensuring that the Olympic Legacy makes explicit
connection to water related recreation throughout the Lee Valley;
Assess the opportunity for further provision at the Royal Docks in East London as
part of the Lee Valley hub;
Support the development of a hub linked to the proposed Bedford-Milton Keynes
Waterways Link and associated developments around Milton Keynes, including
marinas and water related sports provision – note the inland location and
potential provision for open water swimming and beaches;
Include the idea of the ‘Watersports Coast’ as a brand for the coastal strip ‘hub’
from Rye to Solent to enhance existing sites of multi activity at Eastbourne,
Brighton, Shoreham, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis;
Recognise the importance of the Solent as the region’s largest hub and support
46
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
the work of the Solent Forum noting, subject to environmental considerations, the
opportunities for the expansion of access for angling in general in the Solent and
for a range of recreational activities on the western side of the Test estuary, north
of Hythe.
The case for action to address gaps on watersides:
There are many opportunities in the region for informal recreation on watersides such as
walking and cycling. However, on key routes, including the Thames path in London and
routes beside the Medway, there are gaps and sites that need improving. The linkages
between routes and some nearby key visitor destinations need to be improved. The
coastal path has gaps in Kent and Hampshire, while the development of the Thames
Estuary Path will need to address a variety of gaps. In some cases, access to waterways
and enclosed waters may be constrained by personal safety issues and anti-social
behaviour (or the fear of it). Partners highlighted good examples of how to tackle this
through the ‘animation’ of these areas, thus encouraging more people to use them as
British Waterways has done when renovating urban canals and waterways. Some
partners suggested the potential of waterside walking and cycle routes could also be
enhanced by promoting the non-waterside links between inland waterways to create
circular routes.
The lack of opportunity for horse riding along beaches could be addressed by facilitating
access agreements for use outside busy summer periods and provision for horse box
parking at key beaches. Some partners stressed that flood defence schemes involving
changes to the banks of the Thames could be designed to produce new urban beaches
especially in London. The ongoing three Thames strategies linked to the London Plan Kew-Chelsea, Chelsea to Kew and Thames East - provide an opportunity to explore the
feasibility for Thames beaches on the foreshore or riversides in different parts of London.
Demand for outdoor swimming could also be simultaneously addressed through
permanent or temporary swimming lidos being created alongside urban beaches.
The case for action to address gaps for unpowered and power water based activities:
There are both spatial and activity-specific gaps in provision across London and the
South East for both unpowered and powered water based activities (see table 4.1 for
details). In general, for unpowered sports there is a lack of supply in the northern and
southern suburbs of London and in a band south of London, following the North and
South Downs, covering north Surrey, East and West Sussex and central Kent. There is
also a lack of provision for most activities in North and Central Hampshire. In all these
areas a range of partners suggest the potential of existing sites (e.g. kayak play sites) is
not fully developed. The situation to the West, North and East of London is less acute,
largely due to the Rivers Thames, Medway and Lee, the Grand Union and Kennet & Avon
Canals, and a number of major water supply reservoirs.
There is no single reason for the shortage of supply in the areas identified. There are
water resources in the London suburbs and there are rivers draining the North, South
and Hampshire Downs. What is common to all these areas is that access to the rivers is
limited, largely to angling and to some forms of boating on the tidal sections, and there
are relatively few enclosed waters, largely due to the soils and topography of the area,
some of which are not used to their full potential.
In part this may contribute to Londoners being less active in all forms of water related
recreation than those living in the rest of the region, while those living on or near the
South Downs have to travel to gain access to suitable waters. The exception throughout
is South Hampshire, where many people enjoy the coastal recreation sites. Even here
there are partner concerns that public access onto the water is limited, often by the
availability of slipways and suitable adjacent parking which is also a problem in the
Thames estuary. On some of the shingle beaches on the south coast launching
47
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
unpowered craft for less experienced users can be challenging in certain conditions and
opportunities to launch near sheltering features (e.g. walls and groynes) are valued.
Evidence indicates that opportunities for paddling on inland waterways are limited to
canals, inland river navigations and a few rivers with voluntary agreements. There is a
particular lack of inland water in central areas of the south of the region. A range of
partners felt that given these limitations on access, current physical constraints on
waterways should be addressed to improve provision in a sport where participation is
growing. On inland rivers and some tidal stretches poor quality ingress, egress and
portages around weirs and locks create difficulties for less experienced users.
Most of the provision for powered craft is concentrated on the coast, the River Thames
and the canals. Partners and existing studies indicate that many coastal marinas are at
capacity and there are insufficient transit moorings to cope with demand in the summer,
meaning that many boaters are restricted in where they can go and for how long they
can be away from a mooring. Also existing studies and partners highlight the need for a
new marina on the eastern portion of the south coast to fill a gap in provision, generate
economic benefits and encourage new participation.
Inland, the main issue for narrow boats and cruisers is the lack of choice of circular
routes and online moorings in certain urban locations. From London, the only current
option within the region is the Grand Union Canal, Oxford Canal, River Thames loop.
There are also gaps in the links to waterways in other regions, especially to the north
east, where the proposed Bedford-Milton Keynes Waterway Link would allow access to
the River Great Ouse, while the Fens Waterways Link would allow better access to the
Lincolnshire Waterways.
Other powered activities, especially waterskiing and wakeboarding, are limited to a
relatively few inland waters and tidal sections of rivers. Otherwise all activity is at the
coast. For a number of powered activities, partners felt that ‘pay and play’ opportunities
were actually quite limited and often not on sheltered waters that some inexperienced
users would prefer.
The case for action to develop a network of hubs:
A network of hubs based on the Lee Valley/East London, Milton Keynes, the South coast
and the Solent could be developed to fill gaps in provision and also to reduce the large
level of car based recreational travel in the region by encouraging people to go to subregional hubs which could also address the lack of ‘pay and play’ opportunities facing a
number of activities.
Partners felt that London based users might be willing to travel to certain coastal
locations by good train services if they could then use hubs that had good facilities or
would store personal equipment and clothing (many immersion activities, such as
outdoor swimming, need safe storage facilities). Car travel is often preferred if users are
going to have to transport heavy or bulky equipment.
The Lee Valley Regional Park was viewed by some partners as a potential hub since
water comprises over 25% of the park area and it contains 3 multi-use centres as well as
marinas, water sport clubs, 46 angling venues and from spring 2011 the Lee Valley
White Water centre constructed for the Olympics. The Upper Lee Valley Landscape
Strategy identifies a number of potential further developments to enhance the
opportunities to enjoy water recreation. The Royal Docks in East London might also be
part of this hub as they currently contain facilities, some of competition standard, for
rowing, sailing, canoeing, open swimming events and jet skiing. Some partners felt there
were opportunities to improve facilities and develop other activities at this venue, such
as water skiing, but uncertainties over property developments on the dock side meant
48
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
the recreational potential was not fully harnessed
Milton Keynes, an identified growth area, is already developing a range of formal and
informal provision that could allow its promotion as an inland hub. The proposed Bedford
and Milton Keynes Waterway (joining the River Great Ouse at Bedford to the national
inland waterway network near Milton Keynes) will not only provide the first major new
build of a waterway for generations, but it will also fulfil an ambition first mooted in 1810
to link the Grand Union and eastern waterways. Existing plans and studies show it will
link together and develop a range of water sports venues, including Willen Lake in Milton
Keynes (powered water sports), some of which could also support open swimming and
new beaches. There will also be major provision for land-based activities, through 24km
of non-motorised shared use routes running alongside the Waterway and the
development of a linear water park in Milton Keynes. The proposal has enjoyed high
level support, including recently a Department of Communities and Local Government
secondment and interventions by Ministers to help secure the route. It now finds itself at
the centre of ambitious, but deliverable, plans to develop the Marston Vale and is
already a key component in the further growth of Milton Keynes.106
Branding might raise the profile of hubs on the coast and partners noted the idea of
naming Rye to Solent the ‘Watersports coast’ as this stretch of coastline already
contained sites with multi activity coastal provision at Rye/Camber Sands, Eastbourne,
Brighton, Shoreham, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.
The Solent is also currently a major hub for water recreation with 19 different activities
occurring in the estuary and is at the heart of the Urban South Hampshire sub-region
which contains areas targeted for both growth and regeneration. Partners and existing
studies also noted that on the water there were high levels of demand for marinas and
considerable pressure on some transit berthing in the summer period although the
potential construction of a new marina at East Cowes may ease some of the pressures.
Partners also believe that recreational benefits would arise from improved land based
access to the west side of the Test estuary opposite Southampton and for angling
generally in the Solent. Existing studies, however, note the disturbance caused by
recreational users to flora and fauna especially in mature salt marshes and narrow
estuary creeks.
The Solent Forum was established in 1995 to deliver integrated planning and
management. Partners had a positive view of the Forum’s work and its relations with
recreational user organisations, government bodies and harbour authorities. Future
recreational development will need to take account of the Forum’s guidance and
research. In 2010 the Forum is developing a Solent marine planning system and
undertaking a study to update strategic guidance on recreation and tourism which will
consider in detail issues such as recreational use, facilities, capacity, and sustainable
management. A three phase disturbance and mitigation project is also underway with
Phase 1 completed and this is considering recreational pressure on the Solent’s Special
Protected Areas, Special Conservation Areas, and Ramsar Sites.
49
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
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2
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008) Promoting and creating built or natural
environments that encourage and support physical activity. Public Health Guidance 8. London: NICE.
3
Department of Health (2002) Addressing the health agenda: a new role for sports activity – health. London:
Department of Health. Note: it is understood that this guidance is likely to be revised in 2010.
4
Pretty et al (2005). A Countryside for Health and Well-Being: The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of
Green Exercise. Report for the Countryside Recreation Network.
5
Brown, A., Djohari, N. and Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits of angling research project. Year
1 summary interim report. Manchester: Substance. See also Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits
of angling research project. Research task 1: angling participation. Manchester: Substance. See also
http://www.anglingresearch.org.uk/ (accessed 03/02/10).
6
British Waterways (2008). The public benefit – A Measured Approach. The health benefits of this effect will
not be the same as the increase in activity as it may be that the canal encouraged a different form of physical
activity as opposed to an increase.
7
British Waterways (2010). Limehouse cut impacts of improvements on boating and towpath activity.
Economic Development Unit, British Waterways, Watford
8
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2006): Modelling the cost effectiveness of
physical activity interventions.
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Jacobs (2010). The Benefits of Inland Waterways (2nd Edition) A report to Defra and IWAC. Reference number
WY0101
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PAT 10 (1999) National strategy for neighbourhood renewal: Policy Action Team Audit: Report of the Policy
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employment chances. SDC, London.
11
Social Exclusion Unit (2001) A new commitment to neighbourhood renewal. National Strategy Action Plan.
London: Cabinet Office.
12
Sustainable Development Commission (2010) Improving Young People’s Lives. The role of the environment
in building resilience, responsibility and employment chances. SDC, London.
13
Defra (2009) Waterways for everyone: the Government’s strategy for the inland waterways of England and
Wales. Consultation document. London: Defra. Consultation now withdrawn but a useful source of evidence on
waterways.
14
‘Changes at British Waterways’, Press release 29th April 2009. Available at
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/newsroom/all-press-releases/display/id/2414 (accessed 23/06/09). See
also British Waterways (n.d.) Twenty twenty: a vision for the future of our canals and rivers. Available at
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/twentytwentybrochure/ (accessed 23/06/09).
15
See Defra (2008) Outdoors for all? An action plan to increase the number of people from under-represented
groups who access the natural environment. London: Defra; Watson, B. (2009) Using inland waterways to
combat the effects of social exclusion. London: Inland Waterways Advisory Council. Inland Waterways Amenity
Advisory Council (2001) The inland waterways: towards greater social inclusion. London: IWAAC.
16
See, for example, Manchester City Football Club’s ‘City in the Community’ (CITC) programme, which includes
provision for canoeing as an activity to attract socially marginalised or excluded teenagers from across the city.
See http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={73D8F923-13E6-4AAC-A721-10A1065BA87E} (accessed
23/06/09).
17
See http://www.londonyouthrowing.com/about-us/ (accessed 12/06/10)
18
Sustainable Development Commission (2010) Improving Young People’s Lives. The role of the environment
in building resilience, responsibility and employment chances. SDC, London.
19
Brown, A., Djohari, N. and Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits of angling research project. Year
1 summary interim report. Manchester: Substance. See also Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits
of angling research project. Research task 1: angling participation. Manchester: Substance. See also
http://www.anglingresearch.org.uk/ (accessed 03/02/10).
20
Marine Conservation Society (2009) Annual Review 2008/9
21
Thames 21 http://www.thames21.org.uk/ (accessed 21/11/2010)
22
HM Government (2005) One future – different paths. The UK’s shared framework for sustainable
development. London: Defra.
23
www.thegreenblue.org.uk
24
http://www.projectaware.org/ (accessed 12/06/10)
25
It should be noted that some respondents to the consultation felt that fish stocks have declined on some
rivers.
26
Brown, A., Djohari, N. and Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits of angling research project. Year
1 summary interim report. Manchester: Substance. See also Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits
of angling research project. Research task 1: angling participation. Manchester: Substance. See also
http://www.anglingresearch.org.uk/ (accessed 03/02/10).
27
Environment Agency (no date) Economic valuation of navigable waterways: literature review. Unpublished
report, Economics Team, Environment Agency.
28
Sport England (2003) The value of sport. London: Sport England.
29
British Marine Federation (2006) Economic benefits of the UK leisure boating industry. Egham: BMF.
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Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
30
Marine South East (2005) Economic impact of the marine industries in South East England. Southampton:
Marine South East.
31
SEEDA Tourism South East (2005) Leisure Cruising in the South East
32
Visit Britain (2008) The UK Tourist Statistics 2008. The proportion fo hoidlays at the seaside varies annually
33
Beatty, C. et al (2010) The Seaside Tourist Industry in England and Wales: Employment, economic output,
location and trends. Sheffield Hallam University.
34
British waterways (2010) Economic impact of the restoration of the Kennet & Avon Canal
2010 Update, Economic Development Unit, British Waterways, Watford.
35
Environment Agency (2004) Your rivers for life. A strategy for the development of navigable rivers 20042007. Bristol: Environment Agency.
36
http://www.paddingtonwaterside.co.uk/the-developments/default.aspx (accessed 14/11/09)
37
SQW Consulting (2009) Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway economic impact assessment. Report prepared
for the Environment Agency, Bedfordshire County Council and the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust.
Cambridge: SQW Consulting.
38
Pierson, G., Tingley, D., Spurgeon, J. and Radford, A. (2001) Economic evaluation of inland fisheries in
England and Wales. Fisheries Management & Ecology 8(4-5): 415-424.
39
Defra statistics service. https://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/seaangling/onepage.pdf (accessed
26/06/09).
40
Radford A., Riddington, G. and Gibson, H. (2007) Economic evaluation of inland fisheries: the economic
impact of freshwater angling in England and Wales. Science Report – SC050026/SR2. Bristol: Environment
Agency.
41
Mawle, G.W. and Pierson, G. (2009) Economic evaluation of inland fisheries: managers’ report from science
project SC050026/SR2. Bristol: Environment Agency
42
http://www.es.lancs.ac.uk/people/johnq/Water%20Quality%20in%20the%20Uplands%20%20looking%20forward%20-%20Paul%20Knight%20STA.pdf (accessed 14/11/09).
43
SEEDA Tourism South East (2005) Leisure Cruising in the South East
44
Jacobs (2010). The Benefits of Inland Waterways (2nd Edition) A report to Defra and IWAC. Reference
number WY0101.
45
Earlier studies cited in Jacobs (2010). The Benefits of Inland Waterways (2nd Edition) A report to Defra and
IWAC. Reference number WY0101.
46
Brown, A., Djohari, N. and Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits of angling research project. Year
1 summary interim report. Manchester: Substance. See also Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits
of angling research project. Research task 1: angling participation. Manchester: Substance. See also
http://www.anglingresearch.org.uk/ (accessed 03/02/10).
47
Solent Local Economic Partnership (2010) Solent Local Economic Partnership Outline Proposal 6th September
20101. http://www.push.gov.uk/news (accessed 28/11/10)
48
Witherford Watson Mann Architects (2010) Upper Lee Valley Landscape Strategy, at
http://www.designforlondon.gov.uk/what-we-do/#/upper-lea-valley (accesses 20/11/2010)
49
Government Office for the South East (2009) The South East Plan. Regional Spatial Strategy for the South
East of England. London: TSO.
50
Mayor of London (2009) The London Plan. Spatial development strategy for Greater London. London:
Greater London Authority.
51
The main sources include: Arkenford Market Modelling & Research (2006-2008) Watersports and leisure
participation surveys. Conducted for BMF, MCA, RNLI, WYA. Sport England (2007-2009) Active People Surveys.
Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (2008) Numbers of boats on the inland waterways. Report of the
2008 AINA survey. Leeds: AINA. Natural England (2006) England leisure visits. Report of the 2005 survey.
NE13. Cheltenham: Natural England. Radford A., Riddington, G. and Gibson, H. (2007) Economic evaluation of
inland fisheries: the economic impact of freshwater angling in England and Wales. Science Report –
SC050026/SR2. Bristol: Environment Agency; Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits of angling
research project. Research task 1: angling participation. Manchester: Substance.
52
All data in this section from Arkenford Market Modelling & Research (2006-2008) Watersports and leisure
participation surveys. In 2010 the results from the Natural England and partners study 'Monitoring Engagement
with the Natural Environment' will become available which will provide further evidence on demand for outdoor
recreation. The analysis in this section will be adjusted where necessary to take account of this study.
53
The Arkenford surveys suggest that this fluctuates, year by year, from nearly 30% in 2007 to 23% in 2008,
to 26% in 2009.
54
Data in this section unless specified is from Arkenford Market Modelling & Research (2006-2008)
Watersports and leisure participation surveys.
55
The Arkenford survey includes regional data. However, the regions selected are those used by the ITV, with
the Southern and Thames regions being amalgamated with eastern region so this covers an area larger than
London and the South east
56
Mayor of London (2009) A Sporting Future for London. London: GLA
57
SEEDA (2007) Solent waterfront strategy. Chatham: Seeda.
58
Data from Sport England (2007-2009) Active People Surveys
59
Lawrence, K.S. and Spurgeon, J. (2007) Economic evaluation of inland fisheries: welfare benefits of inland
fisheries in England and Wales. Science Report SCO50026/SR1. Bristol: Environment Agency.
60
River Thames Pier Plan, London Development Agency 2009.
61
Natural England (2005) English leisure visits survey. Peterborough: Natural England. The destination of
seaside coastline visits by Londoners by definition will be mainly to locations outside London.
51
Enjoying Water - London and South East England
Final report February 2011
62
Lawrence, K.S. and Spurgeon, J. (2007) Economic evaluation of inland fisheries: welfare benefits of inland
fisheries in England and Wales. Science Report SCO50026/SR1. Bristol: Environment Agency.
63
See workshop report on project website www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreation for further details
64
For example, the Active People survey does not include a number of informal activities and varies in its
treatment of angling participation. No data are routinely collected on certain informal activities (e.g. walking or
cycling by inland watersides), even though they are likely to show the largest number of participants.
65
Sources include: Arkenford Market Modelling & Research (2006-2008) Watersports and leisure participation
surveys. Conducted for BMF, MCA, RNLI, WYA. Sport England (2007-2009) Active People Surveys. Association
of Inland Navigation Authorities (2008) Numbers of boats on the inland waterways. Report of the 2008 AINA
survey. Leeds: AINA. Natural England (2006) England leisure visits. Report of the 2005 survey. NE13.
Cheltenham: Natural England. Radford A., Riddington, G. and Gibson, H. (2007) Economic evaluation of inland
fisheries: the economic impact of freshwater angling in England and Wales. Science Report – SC050026/SR2.
Bristol: Environment Agency; Stolk, P. (2009) The social & community benefits of angling research project.
Research task 1: angling participation. Manchester: Substance.
66
Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (2008) Numbers of boats on the inland waterways. Report of the
2008 AINA survey. Leeds: AINA
67
Registrations nationally, for all navigation authorities, have increased by 20% over this period, but this
includes a major decline in registrations on Lake Windermere. Excluding registrations relating to lakes, the
increase for canals and inland navigations is nearly 30%. See Association of Inland Navigation Authorities
(2008) Numbers of boats on the inland waterways. Report of the 2008 AINA survey. Leeds: AINA.
68
Precise data on the extent of the use of water bodies for recreation are difficult to obtain. The data used in
the spatial inventory of recreational use have been drawn from a number of sources, including Environment
Agency datasets and staff, website databases and guides, published guides and national governing bodies. To
provide a robust picture o the current use of water bodies the findings from the quantitative mapping analysis
using the inventory have been cross referenced and compared with qualitative and quantitative data gained
from in-depth research with recreational users and user groups, including during the workshops.
69
http://www.wbct.org.uk/ (accessed 9th March 2010)
70
See Appendix 2 for a list and also Appendix 1 Maps 6,7,8,10,12,14,15,17,18,19.
71
Coastal Access Audit, July 2009
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/places/coastalaccess/englandscoastpath/default.aspx
(accessed 10/05/2010)
72
Marine South East (2008) Royal Haskoning Study of Marina Provision, Marine South East, Chatham.
73
Thames Waterways Plan 2006-2011, developed by the Environment Agency and River Thames Alliance in
2006 sets out A vision and objectives for sport and recreation on the non-tidal Thames
74
British Waterways (2007) Improving safety on the Regents Canal.
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/newsroom/all-press-releases/display/id/1239 (accessed 12/9/2010)
75
Maps 3 and 5
76
Map 9
77
Map 11
78
Map 16
79
Map 19
80
This is defined as living in a ward that is within 200m of a water resource; see Map 4
81
The evidence from existing documents and plans is discussed in detail in Appendix 4 which contains an
analysis of existing plans and the conclusions form this analysis are discussed in moiré detail in section 6.
82
See workshop report at www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreation
83
See http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/thamesgateway/thamesestuarypath
84
Current SASP lists are: Canoeing National: Boulters Weir; Dorney Lake. Regional: Shepperton Weir; River
Wey. Draft regional: Thames weirs at Hambledon, Marsh, Caversham, Chertsey, Hurley. Water skiing National:
John Battleday Water Ski, Thorpe Park; Prince’s Club, Bedfont; Whitstable Bay; Heron Lake, Wraysbury. See
http://www.sportengland.org/facilities__planning/planning_tools_and_guidance/sasps/sasp_register.aspx
(accessed 3 December 2010)
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It should be noted that the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway proposal has also been identified as a
strategic priority for water related recreation in the East of England region. However, given its significance, and
the fact that Milton Keynes is in the South East Region, the implications of the proposed development as a
potential water recreation hub in the South East Region need to be addressed. The University of Brighton,
Rubicon Associates, Plumpton College, G & L Hughes and Exegesis (2009) Strategic Priorities for water related
recreation in the East of England. Draft report to Environment Agency. Brighton: University of Brighton.
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