Bluespace Manifesto released by Waters of Wales

15th March, 2021

The Waters of Wales Group, a coalition of swimmers and other water users campaigning for better access and policies for water in Wales, have released their ‘Bluespace Manifesto for a Green Recovery 2021’ / ‘Maniffesto Mannau Glas Dyfroedd Cymru 2021’. The manifesto puts the needs of swimmers and other water users into a wider context, addressing the issues on access to the water across land, confirmation of a right to be in the water, water quality and public attitudes to swimming and water safety.

The focus of the manifesto is health and wellbeing of the public, the importance of public engagement for the protection of nature, and the challenges presented by climate change. The manifesto sets out areas of concern to those who love our green and blue spaces and provides key steps for government to undertake to fulfil the manifesto. The needs of swimmers and other water users, including access to the water across land, confirmation of a right to be in the water, water quality and public attitudes to swimming and water safety, are addressed within the wider context of planning, pollution control, access rights and education.

The manifesto, available in the Welsh and English languages, is currently available to download on the Waters of Wales website and Facebook page.  Over the coming weeks it will be circulated to political parties and independent candidates contesting the 2021 election to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament and made available to the general public, who can refer to it when asking the intentions of election candidates;or invite candidates in their local area for confirmation of support.

Pam Bell (spokesperson for Waters of Wales and a key member of the OSS Inland Access team)