Code Of Conduct Between CFPAS Ltd.

And The Cambridge Rowing Administration

A great deal of media attention, both in local newspapers and on local television, has been given over to this subject in the past few months.

There have been some individual incidents where tackle has been broken and actual injuries have occurred.

It has not been appropriate for us to comment on these individual cases.  However, that’s not to say we have not been actively pursuing ways of improving the situation.

The River Cam and its towpath is a wonderful amenity.  It is enjoyed by thousands of people, walking, fishing, boating and rowing.  No one user has more right of use than the other.

Lets get real.  Anglers will never have exclusive right on the river.  It is navigable and, as such, boats and rowing craft have the right of passage.

The way forward is to collaborate between all parties to limit disruption to each other and to act in a sportsman-like way.  Confrontation in the long term achieves little.  Trying to have a "right of navigation" ban is dreamland.

So What have We Done So Far?

The first joint working group between rowers and CFPAS LTD recently took place.  We had an open and frank debate.

I believe much was achieved, none more so than establishing mutual sporting respect.

So What Of The Future?

We have to share the amenity.  Both parties acknowledge there is a need to improve communications.

We have now in place hot links between our respective websites.  This will assist in avoiding clashing of events.  We hope to agree a two-year events list so that everyone can plan ahead.

We would like to agree upon a Code Of Conduct which we will publish as soon as we gain agreement from both parties.

Much work is to be done in achieving these goals over the next few months.  We must not bury our heads in the sand and think that rowing will not take place.  It is an everyday event on the river.  What we need to achieve is reasonable access and enjoyment to the river amenity.