NRA THAMES 66 Space to live3 space to play A R e c r ea t io n St r a t eg y f o r t h e R iver T h am es SPORTS council. NRA o N TENTS TITLE FOREWORD AUTHORS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE THAMES - A NATIONAL RECREATION ASSET 1.1 Managing the Thames: who is involved 1.2 National Rivers Authority 1.3 Sports Council 1.4 National Government 1.5 Local Government 1.6 Other Agencies THE RECREATIONAL VALUE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE:- THE NATIONAL SCENE 2.1 Participation in Countryside Recreation 2.2 Water Related Sports Activities 2.3 Individual Recreational Activities 2.3.1 A ngling 2.3.2 Boating 2.3.3 Canoeing 2.3.4 Rowing 2.4 Other Water Sports 2.4.1 Sub-Aqua 2.4.2 Windsurfing 2.4.3 Waterski-ing 2.4.4 Personal Watercraft 2.5 Countryside Recreation 2.5.1 Walking 2.5.2 Cycling 2.6 Future Trends in Water Sports Participation 2.7 Countryside Recreation in the next 10 years RECREATION ON THE THAMES: SETTING THE LOCAL SCENE 3.1 Thames Based Recreation - Club Activities 3.2 Casual Recreation on the Thames 3.2.1 Thames Path Visitor Survey PLEASURE BOATING ON THE THAMES 4.1 Non-Tidal Navigation 4.1.1 Trends in Boating 4.1.2 Boat Movements 4.1.3 Factors Affecting Boat Traffic 4.2 The Tidal Navigation 4.2.1 PIA & NRA Responsibilities 4.2.2 Boating on the Tidal Thames 4.3 Who Boats on the Thames? ---------------------------------- --------- - ENVIRONMENT AGENCY- 11 7529 5. COMMERCIAL LEISURE ON THE THAMES 39 5.1 Recent History 39 5.2 Consulting Commercial Operators 39 5.2.2 Key Points from Survey 40 6. REVIEWING THE THAMES 43 6.1 AREA 1: THE UPPER THAMES - Source to Goring 43 6.2 Source to Lech hide 43 6.3 Recreational Use 45 6.4 Lech lade to Osney 47 6.5 Recreational Use 50 6.6 Oxford to Goring 52 6.7 Recreational Use 56 6.8 Planning Policies and Strategies for Leisure on the Thames 59 7. 7.1 AREA 2: THE MIDDLE THAMES - Goring to Staines 63 7.2 Recreational Use 73 7.3 Planning Policies and Strategies for Leisure on the Thames 78 8.1 AREA 3: THE LOWER THAMES - Staines to Techlingto)i 83 8.2 Recreational Use 89 8.3 Planning Policies and Strategies for Leisure on the Thames 93 9.1 AREA 4: THE TIDAL THAMES 97 9.3 Teddington to Putney Bridge 98 9.4 Putney Bridge to Tower Bridge 103 9.5 Tower Bridge to the Thames Barrier 108 9.6 Recreational Use of the Tidal Thames (Summary) 112 9.7 The Tideway: Planning Policies and Strategies for Leisure 115 FUTURE POLICIES FOR RECREATION ON THE THAMES 121 10.1 Sustainable Recreation on the Thames 121 J0.J.J The Balance between Recreation & Conservation 123 10.12 Wildlife Issnes§ 125 10.2 Enjoying Recreation on the Thames 125 10.2.1 Is the 'Thames Safe fo r Recreation? 126 10.2.2 Access fo r Recreation 129 10.2.3 Information 131 10.2.4 Facilities 132 10.2.5 Customer Sewices 133 10.2.6 Passenger Sewices 134 10.2.7 Piers 135 10.2.8 The H ire Craft Industry 136 10.3 Active Sports on the Thames 137 10.3.1 Recreational Conflict 138 10.3.2 Events on the River Thames 139 10.4 Angling 140 10.5 Motor Cruising 143 10.6 Rowing 150 10.7 Canoeing 152 10.8 Sailing 155 10.9 Scuba Diving 157 10.10 Water Sports Centres on the Thames 158 10.11 Cycling 160 10.12 River Thames Interest Groups l6l 10.13 River Thames Recreation Strategy - Implementation 162 REFERENCES 165 BIBLIOGRAPHY 166 O R E W O R D The River Thames Recreation Strategy began with a partnership between the NRA and the Sports Council, both of whom have responsibilities to promote the use of the river for sport and recreation. This philosophy of cooperation continued through extensive research and consultation with river users, Local Authorities and interested organisations, resulting in a Strategy which reflects the views, opinions and hopes of a diverse range of interests. Despite the inevitable conflicts, the overriding message is the importance of achieving a level of recreational use which allows the river to flourish as a home to both wildlife and people. After all, it is the natural beauty of the Thames which is its principal attraction. The Sports Council and the NRA will use this Strategy to influence both our own and others activity on the Thames. For us implementation will be via Catchment Management Flans, Regional Strategies for Sport, and in our day to day activities. We ask that Local Authorities use this document when preparing and reviewing Structure Plans, Local Plans, UDP's and Leisure Strategies. Governing Bodies of Sport are asked to consider it in the preparation of their Development Plans, and we encourage river users to act upon the policies, recommendations and actions which promote the safe sharing of the river, and enjoyment for all. By producing this Strategy we are acting as a stimulus to future cooperation and partnership between everyone who wishes to see the Thames flourish, both as a natural resource and as a source of fun and relaxation. Let us all work together to achieve this, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. Les jones Regional General Manager, NRA Thames Region David Dolman Regional Director, Sports Council, Southern Region Andy Sutch Regional Director, Sports Council, London Region. _iv— U T H O R ' S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Preparing a document which covers such a wide range of interests was a daunting task and one which has required time and support from many people. The interest and enthusiasm shown by the river users, both commercial and recreational, proved to me that the Thames is one of the best loved places in the country. Many thanks to the clubs, Governing Body representatives, boatyards, and marinas who filled in questionnaires, gave interviews and responded to the consultation process. Thanks also to the many local government officers and representatives of relevant agencies and interest groups who shared their experience and commented so comprehensively on the consultation draft. It would be impossible to name everyone who has helped, but there are a few who I would like to mention. The Project Steering Group have not only guided the work but have supported me throughout the project. Many thanks to John Redmond, Paul Chambers, Paul Bedford, David Lawerence and in particular Don Vickers who listened, advised and supported me on a day to day basis. I would also like to thank the many NRA officers who informed, advised, corrected, and commented on the consultation draft, in particular John Waters, Ann Symonds, Andrew Graham, and Brian Hughes. Last but not least, thanks go to Eilaine, Lisa and Paula who have organised a vast amount of paperwork quietly and without complaint. With such a diverse range of interests it has been impossible to completely satisfy everyone. I only hope that I have reflected all views and given satisfactory explanations to those whose demands have not been met. The publication of this Strategy is not the end but the beginning, heralding a new impetus for cooperation on the Thames. Over the past 2 years I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Thames, and have made many friends on the river. It has been lots of fun! Eileen McKeever Recreation Planning Officer National Rivers Authority River Thames Recreation Strategy: M40 River Thames - Source to Barrier County & Thames Region □ Boundary Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Green Belt Urban Areas River 1'hames Motorway 'A* Road SSSI NRA National Rivers Authority Thames Region © C ro w n CopyngM © Automobile Association BJW a s Sscton (07Ml M6TW ECUTIVE SUMMARY Planning for a Sustainable Leisure Resource Recreation on the Thames Waterways have always been an integral The recreational use of the Thames is part of the way many people spend their not new. People have been boating, leisure time. Rowing, cruising, sailing fishing and walking along the Thames and fishing have been popular water for hundreds of years. It is home to sports for many years, but it is also for some 21,000 boats - cruisers, canoes, its aesthetic value that millions of people rowing eights, skiffs, punts and visit a waterside environment while at passenger boats. It is also an important leisure. Pubs, parks, and footpaths fishery for over 200 angling clubs and located along rivers, canals and on the numerous casual anglers. seafront are honey pots for visitors who Then there are the millions who walk, just enjoy being by water. picnic, fly kites and "river watch". For The demand for countryside recreation, them the Thames corridor is a series of and in particular opportunities for water parks where they can relax and enjoy based recreation, is increasing the countryside and the wildlife. significantly. Those who have Reconciling this myriad of uses is responsibility for managing the certainly a challenge, but of even greater countryside now have to ask: importance is the need to protect and * How do we satisfy recreational enhance the Thames, ensuring that it demands while conserving the flourishes as a natural resource which is countryside as a flourishing natural home to a diverse range of birds, plants habitat, on which the recreation and animals. This is important not only depends? for the ecology of the river but also for recreation, as its natural beauty is This issue of 'sustainability' is one of the fundamental to the popularity of the most important which the leisure and Thames as a leisure resource.