The Rivers Access Campaign is an ongoing initiative by the British Canoe Union (BCU) to open up the inland waterways of England and Wales to the public.
[1] England and Wales are unusual[2] in the level of restriction upon their waterways and are considered two of the most difficult places in the world to gain access to rivers.
The UK government has encouraged canoeists to seek negotiations and create access agreements for privately owned water with land owners throughout England and Wales.
The Welsh Canoeing Association estimate that there are around 300 rivers in Wales suitable for kayaking, only 13 of which have any form of legal access agreement.
This is a civil offence [citation needed], and may incur a fine or possibly a court injunction to prevent further trespassing.