MAJOR RECREATION PLAN FOR HAVEN UNVEILED

A detailed strategy and plan designed to ensure that the increasing numbers of people who enjoy leisure activities on the Milford Haven waterway can continue to do so has been unveiled.

Prepared by a working group of more than 15 organisations headed by Milford Haven Port Authority, the Milford Haven Waterway Recreation Plan 2005 is the latest in a series of such documents which have been published over 27 years.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency were just some of those represented on the working group over 18 months, and over 80 consultees fed into the draft before it was finalised.

A key document in the ongoing challenge to balance the needs of leisure, the environment and commercial interests in the Haven, the purpose of the plan is to provide a formal, advisory document for all those involved in managing the Haven for leisure.

It also covers the bye-laws which are in place, and sets out how they will be enforced – although the emphasis of the approach is on compliance through education and persuasion before prosecution if necessary.

Like many places in the UK, demands to use the Milford Haven waterway for recreation are growing many ways, with increasing affluence amongst the population generally, a more sophisticated requirement of leisure facilities, and new developments and regeneration schemes in coastal and inland waterfront areas fulfilling those demands.

Sailing and boating are on the up, but in the Haven, people now also water ski, dive, fish off boats, windsurf, kayak – and even use hovercrafts.

The Recreation Plan sets out objectives for the future management of the waterway, with measures including the use of zoning to confine activities to particular areas, and continuing education through interpretation boards and posters to broaden understanding and awareness of the environment, heritage and safety issues.

Mark Andrews, Milford Haven Port Authority harbourmaster, who chaired the working group, said it was a challenge for everyone involved in managing the waterway to keep leisure as safe as possible with the increasing numbers of users.

“Our vision is to ensure that those who currently enjoy the Haven for leisure can continue to do so, and to encourage and develop further recreational use where it is safe and sustainable, all against a background of protecting the environment of this very special resource,” he said.

“This Recreation Plan is an important working document to help all of us do that, and I am grateful for the input of the wide range of organisations which has been involved.”