Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Friday, 4 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 February 2022. It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Monday, 14 February 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Inland Waterways: Leisure

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase access to all inland waters for enjoyment by recreational users, such as swimmers and canoeists.

Answer: The Government recognises that taking to our inland waters can have a positive effect on peoples’ physical and mental wellbeing. We are aware that there has been a considerable increase over the last two years or so in numbers of people taking up water-based activities such as canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and open water or wild swimming. Access to unregulated waterways can be arranged through voluntary access agreements, and access to regulated waterways can be granted through licenses from the appropriate navigation authority.

Secondary information