We’re very conscious that we haven’t provided an update to our members about Glasbury-Hay for a long time – for the simple reason that nothing new has been happening and discussions about a concordat arrangement for paddlesport at Glasbury Bont stalled in the summer following the interventions of the ‘Glasbury to Hay Alliance’ of fishery owners and the launch site is still ‘closed’ (although we’re pleased that paddling has been continuing from all the other, privately-owned launch sites on this stretch of river). We have, however, received this week the following update from Powys County Council and are intending to issue our own public ‘position statement’ in the coming weeks.
“Dear all,
“I am writing with a brief update, to let you know where we are with canoe launch arrangements from Upper Glas-y-Bont common.
“Over the last year, we have been working with the South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group (SWOAPG) who have prepared draft educational materials to support Concordat management arrangements. These were shared with key stakeholders and well received. I would like to extend my thanks to SWOAPG for their hard work in putting together the information materials.
“Since then, we have regrettably had to place the Concordat (as a basis for travel downstream of Glasbury Bridge to Hay on Wye) on hold, as agreement has not been reached around the matter of water level indicators. We understand that this remains important to some of our key stakeholders. However, a water level indicator is not considered to be a viable environmental measure for protection of the features of the Special Area for Conservation, so a more targeted ‘closed season’ approach was suggested instead.
“The Council is looking at options to reinstate a limited level of canoe access from the common, for activity that does not have impacts downstream of Glasbury Bridge [i.e. operating only in the vicinity of the common]. This does still need to be supported by an appropriate Habitat Regulations Assessment and environmental mitigation measures. I will let you know when we have been able to achieve that; in the meantime, we remain unable to permit launching from Upper Glas-y-Bont common.
“Many thanks for your ongoing support for this work.”
Sian Barnes, Professional Lead, Countryside Access and Recreation, Powys County Council