Do you care about water sport and leisure?
26 July 2010
The Environment Agency is encouraging people to have their say on the future of water sport and leisure development in London and the South East with the launch of a public consultation for its Enjoying Water project.
Working with a range of partner organisations the Environment Agency has been developing its Enjoying Water plan that aims to place the environment at the heart of future opportunities to develop water recreation. The final plan will help decision makers such as local authorities take an informed view on how to create, protect and improve water sports and leisure development across London and the South East.
In developing the plan the Environment Agency has already spoken to more than 220 recreation users and managers of water based activities, and sites to gather their views, and is now encouraging anyone else with an interest in water sports and leisure pursuits to visit www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreation and comment on the findings and opinions already expressed. The consultation is open from 5 July until 30 September 2010.
“As well as being responsible for protecting and improving the water environment, we have a duty to promote water related recreation on or near inland and coastal waters. We hope the Enjoying Water plan will help people who provide and enjoy water-based sports and recreation make the most of what London and the South East has to offer while at the same time protecting the environment and our natural heritage.”
- Russell Robson, Environment Agency Recreational Specialist.
Following the completion and evaluation of the public consultation, the final Enjoying Water plan is scheduled for launch at the end of the 2010.
Editor's Notes
In London and the South East just over four million residents participated in water related recreation in 2008, rising by nearly 25 per cent in 2009. Approximately 8 million people live within 10 miles of the Thames & Medway waterways of which half of these people have used them for some form of recreation or water-based activity in the last year.
Questions? Comments?
For further information contact Joe Giacomelli on 01903 832235 or Jan Leslie on 01903 832364. Out of hours mobile 07699 740959.