Access

The Access Committee looks after all aspects of access in canoeing. It works to an Environmental Policy which seeks to preserve and enhance waterways of all kinds. It promotes the concept that canoeing is an environmentally sound and healthy activity which is as valid as any other, and that the sport has a long history of access to water in Scotland. Links to the main areas which the committee are involved with are in the table.

River Advisers Volunteers who may be able to help answer your questions on many of Scotland's rivers	The Land Reform Act and Access Code Update on the current situation with the Land Reform Act and Access Code
Access Info Info on access issues (good and bad!) and hazards at about 50 river, loch, canal and sea locations.	Hydros good or bad? As the number of hydroschemes looks set to increase the SCA seeks your views on what line to take on this issue.
River Level Data How to get SEPA's river level data; trial of the SCA's more paddler friendly interpretation of this + where to find other river level info.	The SCA Guidebook to Scottish Whitewater The first edition has almost sold out, but the last few copies still available! Info and help needed for new edition
Access Fora What are they? Volunteer SCA representatives needed.	Sharing the River Understanding other river users such as anglers and sharing information.
Access in England and Wales Can the appalling access situation "down south" be changed?	Environmental Audits Read the first river audit and find out how to audit a river you care about!
They're damaging the River! Some useful contacts for reporting activities which may be cause damage.	The River and Waterway Environment for Small Boat Users A book examining all aspects of the river environment as and how you interact with them Discounts available for SCA members
Practical Ways to Protect the River Environment Lots of suggestions on how to help look after rivers. Ideas for individuals and groups or clubs.	Proposed New Laws Details of proposed changes to legislation of bathing water quality; access to the foreshore and sea bed and non-native species
FREE ! RNLI Safety Training How to arrange a free safety at sea session for your group or club	Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) and Lyme disease Paddlers are at increased risk from these serious diseases. Do you know the symptoms?
Belford Hospital, Fort William Plans to reduce A & E services in this important paddling area could adversely affect paddlers. What can you do?	South Glasgow Country Park Proposals for a new country park including facilities for paddlers - your chance to comment.

The Access Committee seeks to educate all paddlers into accepting that in return for free access they must adhere to a sensible and responsible Code of Conduct.The Access Committee meets at different venues round Scotland and is made up of River Advisers and representatives from each of the SCA technical committees (including all coaching, recreational and competition). However, other paddlers with an interest in access and environmental issues may be co-opted onto the committee.

John Picken, the National Access Co-ordinator, is the Chair of the Access Committee and co-ordinates access policy. He's the person to contact is you are interested volunteering to help with access issues. Volunteers are needed to a variety of projects including serving on the committee, acting as river advisors, getting involved with local access issues, representing the SCA on local access fora and preparing Touring and Sea Guidebooks in a similar vein to the White Water River Guidebook. (Yes, this hugely successful book was all the work of volunteers!)

Andy Jackson is the part-time paid Access and Environment Officer who should be contacted on general access issues.

The SCA are grateful to SNH for funding Andy's post.

The over-arching belief of the SCA is that as paddlers, we have a freedom to travel over water, akin to the walkers freedom to roam over land. The SCA policy is not to enter into agreements that are formal, legal or binding in their intent. However the SCA promotes shared use of water resources and will discuss appropriate concessions where these are deemed to be in the interests of all parties. Our Access Charter expresses this right which comes with responsibility. A brief summary of the current access situation in Scotland is available. This does not include the changes which will take place once the Land Reform Bill is enacted. Like what the SCA is doing on Access? Then join!

Feedback on the Access section of the SCA website should be sent to Janet Moxley.

There is also an SCA Access e-mail list which informally discusses various access issues. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to scaaccess-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Traffic on the group varies, but is currently about 10 e-mails per week, so please only subscribe if you can deal with this amount of mail.

For information on coastal and inland waters contact the Touring Committee.

For information on competition sites contact the relevant competitive committee.

For specific river information, contact the relevant River Adviser.

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