Benyon Rejects Canoeists’ ‘Right to Paddle’ Campaign
- Thread starter FishingMagic
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bennygesserit
Well-known member
Interesting that Richard Benyon has responded personally to a member on the song of the paddle forum
the originals are all here Angling Trust statement - Page 8 post 429
but reproduced here in part
Letter from R Benyon MP ref. Petition to Parliament - Navigation on unregulated watercourses.
DEFRA have failed to answer the petition again.
Benyon has sent the following letter to my MP.
Thank you for your letter of 6 February to the Secretary of State enclosing a copy of a petition submitted by your constituent, Mr Douglas XXXX, about rights of navigation on unregulated watercourses.
Our unregulated water courses serve many users and I believe that the needs of canoeists need to be balanced with those of anglers, industry and conservation as well as the property rights of landowners. The law in this area has, as far as I am aware, not been tested in the courts. I am aware of the research in this area which has been undertaken by Mr XXXX and others but I am not in a position to offer an opinion as to its validity or otherwise. I am unable to justify using public funds to undertake the research necessary to offer such an opinion and it would remain just that - an opinion - until considered and ruled upon by the courts.
I am also not at all convinced that a voluntary approach does not work. During the department's study of pilot agreements, we were able to demonstrate the successful conclusion of agreements which managed the site specific issues and tensions which arose Moreover. 99% of 400 landowners contacted said they were willing to consider voluntary agreements. Many, however, are put off from pursuing agreements because the governing bodies of canoeing in England and Wales do not support the use of agreements. I also receive some correspondence from angling organisations frustrated that the canoeing bodies do not engage with the process. Clarifying the law in this area by legislating in the terms you suggest is not a priority for the Government and is not reflected in the coalition agreement. Departmental resource is therefore currently focused on other priorities.
Signed personally by,
RICHARD BENYON MP
the originals are all here Angling Trust statement - Page 8 post 429
but reproduced here in part
Letter from R Benyon MP ref. Petition to Parliament - Navigation on unregulated watercourses.
DEFRA have failed to answer the petition again.
Benyon has sent the following letter to my MP.
Thank you for your letter of 6 February to the Secretary of State enclosing a copy of a petition submitted by your constituent, Mr Douglas XXXX, about rights of navigation on unregulated watercourses.
Our unregulated water courses serve many users and I believe that the needs of canoeists need to be balanced with those of anglers, industry and conservation as well as the property rights of landowners. The law in this area has, as far as I am aware, not been tested in the courts. I am aware of the research in this area which has been undertaken by Mr XXXX and others but I am not in a position to offer an opinion as to its validity or otherwise. I am unable to justify using public funds to undertake the research necessary to offer such an opinion and it would remain just that - an opinion - until considered and ruled upon by the courts.
I am also not at all convinced that a voluntary approach does not work. During the department's study of pilot agreements, we were able to demonstrate the successful conclusion of agreements which managed the site specific issues and tensions which arose Moreover. 99% of 400 landowners contacted said they were willing to consider voluntary agreements. Many, however, are put off from pursuing agreements because the governing bodies of canoeing in England and Wales do not support the use of agreements. I also receive some correspondence from angling organisations frustrated that the canoeing bodies do not engage with the process. Clarifying the law in this area by legislating in the terms you suggest is not a priority for the Government and is not reflected in the coalition agreement. Departmental resource is therefore currently focused on other priorities.
Signed personally by,
RICHARD BENYON MP
The cat is out of the bag now. Both the DEFRA lawyers and Mr Benyon himself have admitted that no one knows whether or not Land Owners have any right to try to stop canoeists paddling on English and Welsh rivers. Apparently, according to them, this will only be known after a case in the courts.
What is known is that Anglers have no rights at all in this matter and that if Anglers abuse or threaten canoeists, they are committing a crime.
The Angling Trust has been boasting and threatening for years. Lets see how soon they take action by suing someone.
Don't hold your breath.
Meanwhile most canoeists and anglers will continue to do what they have done for years, which is to share the rivers responsibly, like in every other country in the world. It is only in England and Wales that a small minority of selfish anglers and their landlords try to exclude their fellow citizens from their natural heritage. These days are fast coming to a close. Get used to it.
I look forward to seeing the first of this minority in court for threatening behavior likely to cause a breach of the peace; a criminal record after all those years of shouting abuse and issuing threats. What are you going to do, when the canoeist has called the police from the river, in front of you, and they want to know your name? Are you going to give it? Or are you going to run away?
What is known is that Anglers have no rights at all in this matter and that if Anglers abuse or threaten canoeists, they are committing a crime.
The Angling Trust has been boasting and threatening for years. Lets see how soon they take action by suing someone.
Don't hold your breath.
Meanwhile most canoeists and anglers will continue to do what they have done for years, which is to share the rivers responsibly, like in every other country in the world. It is only in England and Wales that a small minority of selfish anglers and their landlords try to exclude their fellow citizens from their natural heritage. These days are fast coming to a close. Get used to it.
I look forward to seeing the first of this minority in court for threatening behavior likely to cause a breach of the peace; a criminal record after all those years of shouting abuse and issuing threats. What are you going to do, when the canoeist has called the police from the river, in front of you, and they want to know your name? Are you going to give it? Or are you going to run away?
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B
Berty
Guest
Nope....you speak with forked tongue....."most" canoeists are the sunny day canadian kayakers with all the kids on board who take up the Wye from above Hay to below Monmouth.....and **** up many anglers on the way.
Yep......the sooner it is court the better.
bennygesserit
Well-known member
heads up for anyone fishing the River Dovedale though I have no idea what the celebration is all about
Dovedale open for canoeing
Dovedale open for canoeing
Did anyone see the bit in this weeks angling press about the narrow boat owner who spent the day in a police station after going over the top when a angler was pegged opposite his mooring. He got very stroppy and the police came and took him away to the station.
Graham Elliott 1
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Had a very interesting experience on (strangely enough) Lower Benyons Kennet last week.
Fishing the weir, two canoeist decided they would go over the top of the weir and exit the bank under my rod tops.
1/ I first told them that they were very inconsiderate and that the section was "non navigational" and that they should return to the main river.
This ewas met with a stream of abuse, especially from the younger person about 15 years old. (named Dylan) I assume the other guy was his father
2/ The next time I again told them they were inconsiderate and I would call the baliff and the police.
They said F' off and the lad was even more abusive
3/ The 3rd time I explained to them that it was dangerous to paddle where a fisherman was casting his line out as it was a heavy feeder I was using. It would be there fault if any accidents occured
More abuse.
4/ The next time they just happened to be coming down the weir as I cast, very accurately I am pleased to say and the feeder whistled through the air landing at least 1 foot away from the lad.
Cue a torrent of abuse from the Lad that left me stone faced and with just a hint of a smile. The Father dragged his Lad away and they left.
As I had warned them that it was dangerous I felt justified.
No doubt some will think I was inconsiderate.
Fishing the weir, two canoeist decided they would go over the top of the weir and exit the bank under my rod tops.
1/ I first told them that they were very inconsiderate and that the section was "non navigational" and that they should return to the main river.
This ewas met with a stream of abuse, especially from the younger person about 15 years old. (named Dylan) I assume the other guy was his father
2/ The next time I again told them they were inconsiderate and I would call the baliff and the police.
They said F' off and the lad was even more abusive
3/ The 3rd time I explained to them that it was dangerous to paddle where a fisherman was casting his line out as it was a heavy feeder I was using. It would be there fault if any accidents occured
More abuse.
4/ The next time they just happened to be coming down the weir as I cast, very accurately I am pleased to say and the feeder whistled through the air landing at least 1 foot away from the lad.
Cue a torrent of abuse from the Lad that left me stone faced and with just a hint of a smile. The Father dragged his Lad away and they left.
As I had warned them that it was dangerous I felt justified.
No doubt some will think I was inconsiderate.
richiekelly
Well-known member
not inconsiderate at all, in fact I think you showed more restraint than I would have.
barbelboi
Well-known member
Not at all Graham, my son and I had a similar experience (and similar ending) on the weirpool by the Wagon at Twyford about 10 years ago.
Jerry
Jerry
I think you were very considerate I am sure you could have hit either of them had you wanted to.
bennygesserit
Well-known member
Talking of records it might be nice to put this on the sotp access map ?
bennygesserit
Well-known member
On song of the paddle I came across this point and for the life of me I cannot answer or rebuff the argument can anyone ?
The complaint was 'why don't anglers want to share sometimes we travel miles and miles of rivers and never see anyone, why should a few people dictate who cannot use a river, it wouldn't be so bad if anglers where actually using it'
Anyone ?
The complaint was 'why don't anglers want to share sometimes we travel miles and miles of rivers and never see anyone, why should a few people dictate who cannot use a river, it wouldn't be so bad if anglers where actually using it'
Anyone ?
chub_on_the_block
Well-known member
Can go other way too - a lone canoeist could mess up the fishing for a dozen or more anglers that he passes on his paddle. And they will have invested more cash in bait and permits on top of their petrol.
richiekelly
Well-known member
nicepix
Well-known member
Benny,
Ask them if they would be prepared to share their canoes with any stranger who came along and wanted to use it while they were at work or doing other things.