Almost three-quarters of riverbanks in England have no public access, according to data released by the Right to Roam campaign.Across the country, the public cannot use riverbanks or gain access to the rivers themselves in most of the river catchments from the west of Cornwall up to the Tweed, which flows through northern England and Scotland.
But it was only in the last two months you were warning everyone what potential deathtraps they were!
Lewis Winks, an environmental social scientist from Right to Roam, who led the research, said: “Access to rivers should be a basic right, yet the vast majority remain off limits. As we continue to experience extreme heat, it’s vital the public are able to draw from the benefits that water brings.”
Like death..? Or if you’re lucky, just Wiel’s disease or salmonella?
Kate Rew, from the Outdoor Swimming Society, said in 20 years time she wanted to see living rivers across England, with people free to reach them to swim, paddle, walk and spend time by the water. “Being part of the natural world makes us healthier, happier and more alive,” said Rew.
Some of us more alive, not all!
