What is the River Access Pledge?
The British Government recently announced a plan to create access to nine rivers across England, aiming to open up new river walks for the public. However, this pledge has been met with criticism from campaigners like Right to Roam, who argue that the plan is simply “too small a step.” They believe that access should be granted to all rivers in England, not just a handful. The campaign group is pushing for a broader right of responsible access to rivers, riverbanks, and the wider countryside, rather than negotiating with numerous landowners for limited access points.
Main Benefits and Key Facts
While the government’s plan to create nine new river walks is a start, campaigners say it falls short of what’s really needed. Here are some key figures and facts that highlight the issue:
- Only nine new river walks are promised, one in each region of England.
- The Dart River in Devon alone has 108 landowners, making negotiations complex.
- Right to Roam plans nine protests along rivers nationwide to spotlight access issues.
- The government is also working on three new national forests and the 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path.
- Campaigners call for a law granting default responsible access to all rivers, not just selected ones.
Why Campaigners Say the Pledge is Insufficient
Right to Roam and other activists argue that the government’s plan is not only too limited but also overly complicated. Nadia Shaikh from the campaign explains that rivers are the lifeblood of communities and should be open for everyone to enjoy—whether swimming, paddling, or just walking in nature. Yet, landowners have effectively locked the public out, cutting off access to these magical places. The promise of just nine new river walks won’t help most people get closer to nature, and ministers will face a logistical nightmare trying to negotiate with hundreds of landowners.
Protests and Public Actions
To raise awareness, Right to Roam is organizing protests along several rivers in November. Walkers will intentionally trespass on private land to highlight how landowners block public access. Some of the rivers where actions will take place include:
- The Dart in Devon
- The River Wensum in Norfolk
- The River Bollin in Cheshire
- The River Avon near Salisbury in Wiltshire
- The River Aire in West Yorkshire
- The River Camel in Cornwall
More locations are expected to be confirmed as the campaign gains momentum.
Calls for Legislative Change
Guy Shrubsole, another spokesperson for Right to Roam, calls the government’s pledge “peanuts.” He questions why every community can’t have the right to access and care for their local river. The campaigners want to end what they describe as a feudal mindset—where landowner permission is needed to visit local rivers. Instead, they advocate for a new law that would grant the public a right of responsible access to the countryside, empowering everyone to enjoy and protect these natural resources.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Encouraging outdoor activities like walking, swimming, and paddling promotes physical and mental health.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing public access to natural spaces strengthens community ties and quality of life.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Protecting rivers and surrounding environments supports biodiversity and climate resilience.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Promoting responsible access helps conserve natural habitats and ecosystems.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Advocating for fair access laws supports equitable use of natural resources.
Government Response and Future Outlook
An Environment Department spokesperson acknowledged the ongoing efforts to increase access to nature and countryside. Besides the nine new river walks, the government is developing three new national forests and nearing completion of the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will stretch 2,700 miles. Still, the debate continues over whether these initiatives go far enough. Campaigners remain determined to push for comprehensive legislation that would open up all rivers to the public, making nature more accessible for everyone, everywhere.
