Almost 75% of England’s riverbanks ‘off limits’ to public, figures show

People seeking relief from this summer’s heat in the River Avon near Bath. Photograph: Andrew Lloyd/Alamy View image in fullscreen People seeking relief from this summer’s heat in the River Avon near Bath. Photograph: Andrew Lloyd/Alamy Almost 75% of England’s riverbanks ‘off limits’ to public, figures show Campaigners urge government to introduce right of access to water, particularly as heatwaves become more common Almost three-quarters of riverbanks in England have no public access, according to data released by the Right to Roam campaign. Across the country, the public cannot use riverbanks or gain access to the rivers themselves in most of the river catchments from the west of Cornwall up to the Tweed, which flows through northern England and Scotland. Lewis Winks, an environmental social scientist from Right to Roam, who led the research, said: “Access to rivers should be a basic right, yet the vast majority remain off limits. As we continue to experience extreme heat, it’s vital the public are able to draw from the benefits that water brings.” The campaigners are calling on Angela Eagle, the new environment secretary, to launch a promised but long-delayed consultation on access – as part of an access to nature green paper – and introduce a right of responsible access to water and land in the next king’s speech. The research showed 71% of riverbanks along main rivers and tributaries in the 89 river catchments examined lacked any adjoining access to land or right of way within 100m of the water. The finding was consistent regardless of whether urban areas were included. There is also no defined statutory right to the water itself on 96% of rivers in England and Wales, which means activities such as swimming and paddling are often contested by landowners, and the vast majority of inland waters, including reservoirs and lakes, are treated as off limits. First of nine new river walks in England announced for north-west Read more Kate Rew, from the Outdoor Swimming Society, said in 20 years time she wanted to see living rivers across England, with people free to reach them to swim, paddle, walk and spend time by the water. “Being part of the natural world makes us healthier, happier and more alive,” said Rew. “But this is not only about what rivers can give us. We need to give rivers back some of the life we’ve taken out. People rarely fight for places they’re excluded from, and right now our rivers need people to fight for them. The work of restoring our rivers begins by reconnecting people with them.” Keir Starmer’s government committed to creating nine new national river walks, but Winks said the first of these, on the River Mersey, had not created any additional access. The fight for accessible and swimmable waterways has become a major public issue, especially as record-breaking heatwaves prompt families and young people to seek free ways to cool down, although rescue services have warned people to take care when entering cold water. The da