Making more use of waterway paths and their surrounding corridors
Conclusions set out in the BW report are: •
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compared with the GB adult population as a whole, the age-group under-represented among BW waterway visitors is those aged 65 or over; the proportion of visitors to BW waterways with a long illness, health problem or disability has declined in 2009;
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the proportion of visitors from ethnic minorities is lower than in the population overall; and
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the proportion of visitors to BW waterways within social grades C2DE has increased but is still lower than the population overall (social grades are grouped into ABC1 and C2DE to represent upper/middle class and working class respectively).
November 2010
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Categories of users and use Summary Waterway paths have various types of users and types of uses. Broad types of users include: pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. However within these broad groupings people ‘use’ the environments in very different ways. Main uses that have been identified through literature research, the on line questionnaire sent to key stakeholders and the case studies include: •
walking (for leisure);
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walking (commuting to work/schools/shops);
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jogging/running;
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dog walking;
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cycling (for leisure);
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cycling (commuting to work/schools; getting to the shops etc);
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horse riding;
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access to private property;
uses of waterways generally decreases with age with over half (54%) of over 65s being non-users (compared to 39% of those aged 45-64, 27% of those aged 2544 and 35% of 18-24 year olds.
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going to the pub;
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picnicking;
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playing games;
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sunbathing;
These findings suggest that users who are currently under-represented or in decline either based on previous studies or the national population are those:
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rollerblading/skating;
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feeding ducks;
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natural history/bird watching associated with the waterway and its corridor;
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watching boats, locks working, natural events (e.g. tidal bore);
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access for boat use (house boats, moorings, commercial boats, private boats etc);
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access for canoeing/canoe portage;
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access for fishing; and
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access for rowing.
The EA VW national survey indicates similar conclusions: •
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people from higher socio-economic groups are more likely to visit waterways than those from lower socio-economics groups; and
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over 65;
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with a long term illness, health problem or disability;
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from ethnic minorities; and
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who are working class.
Although the majority of these uses can generally be applicable to a range of paths or public open spaces, the last seven uses distinguish waterway paths as being different. These are dependent on the waterways whilst the other uses may be related to the waterway but not necessarily. Water based and waterway related uses are described below.
Visitors to the Severn Estuary watching the Severn Bore from the Gloucestershire Way path near Minsterworth