The Taw Torridge Estuary is the only major estuary on the North Devon Coast. It is an

important site for conservation particularly for wintering wading birds, recognised by its

designation as a Site of Special Scientific interest. The Estuary is part of the core area and

buffer zone of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The Estuary is an important recreational resource for both local people and visitors. There

has been a growing concern in recent years that an increase in the numbers and types of

Fast Leisure Craft using the Estuary has led to an increase in the likelihood of problems

occurring within the Estuary including accidents at slipways and on the water as well as

increased conflict between different user groups, possible disturbance to local residents and

negative impacts on the environment.

This term has been adopted by the Working Group to describe all recreational craft capable of

operating at speeds of over 10knots, whether powered by internal or outboard engine,

impeller and jets, or wind. Fast leisure craft include personal water craft, rigid inflatable boats

(RIBS), “speedboats”, and sail powered vessels. It excludes commercial operators such as

fishing boats, and cargo vessels and other vessels operated by MOD, HM Coastguards,

Bideford Port Authority or the RNLI.

These are the findings of the working group convened by the Northern Devon Coast and

Countryside Service at the request of Torridge District Council and North Devon District

Council to resolve the issues of fast leisure craft within the Estuary.

The scope of the group was agreed as follows:

Members of the Group ultimately included: representation at officer and member level of the

District Councils, the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service, the Taw Torridge

Estuary Forum, HM Coastguard and the RNLI.

Activities of the group included:

events on the estuary.

The recommendations in this report are based on the Best Practice Guidance issued by

recommendations are made in the current state prior to the publication of a Marine Bill and

make suggestions where such an Act might assist in the management of special areas such

as this.

this document can be found on the internet at

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/issues/coastal/coastal-guidance.pdf

There has been an increase in the volume of motorised traffic using the estuary especially in

Personal Watercraft, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, and Caesar Thundercats (Zap Cats).

Currently there are no arrangements to ensure that the operators of these craft have either

insurance or qualifications to use them safely. The same often applies to sailing craft. It has

been observed that the irresponsible behaviour is not confined to the leisure sector. It was

reported to the group that fishing boats have also given some cause for concern. The

Harbour Pilot also noted concerns with boats from the Rowing clubs obstructing larger clay

vessels from using the fairway.

The area under consideration is part of the core area and buffer zone of the UNESCO

Biosphere Reserve. This seeks to ensure that sustainable development is practised in these

areas.

Since 1995, a Zoning scheme has been in place which has in the greater part worked well,

with most craft knowing their zones and the code of conduct. Information on this has been

given through strategically-placed information panels and a leaflet. It was noted that

compliance with the scheme was greatly increased when a warden was employed at

Appledore Slipway.

pollution issues.

A data-base was set up to record incidents and observations regarding craft generally on the

water. The most frequent reports were regarding personal leisure craft, and water-ski craft,

mainly between Instow and Appledore. A total of 46 incidents have been reported in the log;

28 since 2004. Most incidents have been sent in about Personal Water Craft (formerly known

as Jet skis). However there are other craft causing problems as set out earlier. Congestion at

Appledore Slipway was witnessed by Torridge District Council staff, which was deemed to be

dangerous and to place the authority itself at risk.

A student carried out a survey of users at Appledore Churchfield slipway as a comparative

study to one done in 1999 under the previous implementation of a slipway warden scheme.

The survey this year was done over 1 week only. Therefore the conclusions one can draw will

not be very certain.

Over that 6-year period, attitudes have changed. Nearly all the people launching claimed to

have insurance in 2005, compared to very few in 1999. The attitude to paying for access to

the estuary has also changed.

It is difficult to make a direct comparison between the two surveys. There are differences such

as tide and weather and the months when the surveys were conducted; in 2005 it was done

exact same questions were asked in both years. However the following results are of interest.

the figure for a similar week was more like 50 %.

are sailing in 2005

compared to 1999 when the highest % of people were using it twice a week (see

graph below)

each use compared to 14.7% who said £3-5 each use

graph below)

The Objectives for managing the craft on the water should be as follows:

1 To allow for a range of recreation on the water for visitors and locals and does not detract

form the natural assets of the estuary.

2 To ensure that water users are respectful of the needs of others and conflict between

users is reduced to a minimum.

3 To reduce the risk of accidents to people and property as far as is consistent with their

enjoyment of the water.

4 To ensure that any measures put in place are as cost effective as possible.

frame work for a future introduction of legislation should it be deemed necessary, it takes into

account all interest groups, rationalised voluntary and statutory speed limits, and will reduce

confusion.

of users. Success is reliant on availability of information about the scheme (no more than

statutory scheme), current information needs updating.

support a monitoring programme and encourages self policing.

increase as and when the scheme is widened, still relies on good will and scheme needs to

be more rigorously endorsed.

results

Control should be administered jointly by the authorities.

This can be done through a range of methods.

1.1 A water based patrol in a RIB, the personnel have clear authority to apply the relevant

byelaw(s) for the authorities across administrative boundaries.

1.2 The water based patrol above can be supported by volunteers.

1.3 Information systems at the slipway access points need to be updated and kept in

good order. Information can be further distributed through the web and through TIC’s and

the North Devon Tourism Brochure. Care has been taken to ensure that the information

does not attract more attention from the craft that cause most concern in the estuary. This

should continue.

1.4 Information on the scheme and information about the area should be produced to

accompany the registration scheme. The pack will include personal safety information,

launching sites, speed limits, etc.

2.1 Uniformed presence on the slipways enforcing a charging policy to pay for the

provision of such as service and educating the users about the zoning scheme.

2.2 Details of the slipway enforcement will vary from site to site. However the main ones

are Appledore Slipway, Bideford Bank End and the White house at Braunton. The Marsh

Inspectors at Braunton own the toll road and are prepared to enforce the scheme, of

registered craft only. A reasonable period of presence needs to be identified at

Appledore. A barrier on the slipway is deemed to be not a safe option unless the

controlled area allowed to for vessels to be brought up to dry in an emergency. A time

window on the water would assist the bird and fish conservation within the estuary.

will encourage better behaviour and promote safer use of slipway areas.

presence at all times.

3.1 The Voluntary Scheme should be supported by the application of Byelaws. Devon

County Council Byelaw 15 is sufficient for the purposes of controlling craft driven without

due care for other users and can be applied by any authority (officers or volunteers of

North Devon District Council, Torridge District Council, Devon County Council,

Environment Agency, English Nature, HM Coastguard and the RNLI, etc) outside of the

Port of Bideford. (it applies on estuarine waters where there is no existing harbour

authority). Rigorous application of byelaws has been shown to be effective at

underpinning the voluntary approach.

3.2 All Authorities should be advised that they have the powers to prosecute under this

byelaw and should be given support in terms of the interpretation of the byelaw (i.e. what

constitutes an offence) and where it can be applied.

legislation, encouragement for partnership working, and occasional prosecutions will act as

deterrent and raise awareness thereby supporting the voluntary zoning scheme.

enforce the byelaw.

4.1 Areas for mooring should be established and agreed and it must be made clear that

that mooring will not be tolerated anywhere outside of these zones. Where the authority

has the holding lease for the foreshore and the seabed, these areas should be negotiated

with the Crown Estate so that there is a reduced fee for maintaining a clear area and an

appropriate fee for managing a moored area which should aim to be cost neutral for the

resolved that mooring issues should be considered with the stakeholder participation to

agree a code for mooring and maintaining the estuary free from abandoned craft.