SWOAPG has received the following message from Hay Town Council. Providers launching at “The Gliss” (the public launch site river-right below Hay bridge) should particularly note their comments that “canoes are only to be launched and recovered at the designated launch site and not anywhere else on the area” and “any company found still not complying with the key principles as outlined below will have permission to launch canoes from the Gliss removed“.

From Hay Town Council:

“Dear Canoe Companies/Users

“Hay Town Council met with several canoe companies on 14^th June 2021 to discuss ongoing issues regarding canoes/canoe traffic and access at the Gliss car park. At the meeting the canoe companies and HTC agreed several key principles moving forward (please see list below) and the Town Council would like to thank all companies and individuals who have adhered to these new principles. Part of the solution moving forward was suggested putting in wooden bollards and a chain near the official canoe launching ramp and effectively creating an area which only canoe vehicles can access. HTC is working with a local contractor on this scheme and we anticipate the scheme will be installed next Monday 2^nd or Tuesday 3^rd August. This will be a trial to see if it helps or hinders canoe companies and local residents. Once the measures have been put in place, HTC will invite representatives from canoe companies to meet at the Gliss so we can work together and see if the measures will work.

“Despite the efforts to improve the situation, HTC has still received a number of complaints regarding canoe traffic since our meeting on 14^th June 2021. Some of the complaints relate to where canoes are being launched from. Canoes are only to be launched and recovered at the designated launch site and not anywhere else on the area. 

“Hay Town Council is the landowner of the Gliss car park and if any company is found still not complying with the key principles as outlined below will have permission to launch canoes from the Gliss removed. The Town Council is committed to working with you to help manage the situation for everyone’s benefit, and we are hoping that the new wooden stakes/chained off area for canoe traffic only will be a part of the solution.  

“If any canoe company would like to contact Hay Town Council regarding this issue, please contact: townclerk@haytowncouncil.gov.uk

“Key Principles agreed with Hay Town Council 14 June 2021

1.  Please treat local residents, other users and the site with the respect they deserve (i.e. behave responsibly and sustainably!).
2. Please do not arrive on site before 8.30am (no more dropping-off boats at 6am, please!).
3. Please don’t leave vehicles in the ‘launch area’ (trailers without wheel-clamps are fine, since they can be manoeuvred manually out of the way by other users if necessary – maximum one trailer per Provider, please, but not attached to a vehicle!).
4. Please park as few vehicles as possible on site – take your own vehicles away whenever you can; and ask your clients to park elsewhere (e.g. shuttle them from your own sites or ask them to use the town’s main car park).
5. Providers do not have permission to ‘carry on business’ from the site (i.e. please use it only for drop-off and pick-up, not as a venue from which to operate hire business!).

“Thank you for assistance on this matter.”