New rules for Wye boaters

The Environment Agency's byelaws for the River Wye, first proposed back in 1994, have finally come into force.

The long-running battle for control of the Wye was finally won by the Agency last year. Its byelaws restrict the speed of boats on the river, require suitable people to be in charge of boats, and include provisions to avoid collisions and obstruction of the navigation. They apply to all of the non-tidal navigation - from Bigsweir Bridge to Hay-on-Wye.

The speed limit is 10 kilometres per hour (approximately 6mph) for boats navigating upstream, and 13 kilometres per hour (8mph) for those proceeding downstream. The Wye is not normally navigated from end to end by powered craft, but is popular with canoes and rowing boats. There are motorised trip-boats at some locations, such as Symonds Yat.

The Agency is now looking for a chairman for its 23-member Wye Navigation Advisory Committee, and is working on its first ever Wye Navigation Plan.