Paddling on the tidal stretches of the Avon has never been contested and a number of local canoe clubs and outdoor centres enjoy the quiet tranquil upper stretches of the tidal Avon on a regular basis. The tidal limit is clearly demarked on Ordnance Survey maps and lies three to four hundred meters above the A35 bridge at Christchurch. Indeed, up until very recently Royalty Fisheries used to have signage at this point marking the line at SZ 157933 (above). They even had a line strung across the river here at one point!
Southern Fisheries Ltd, a commercial organisation based in Tunbridge Wells has long leasehold interest on the entire Royalty Fisheries at Christchurch
This company seems to be waging a campaign against canoeists paddling on the Avon, both the tidal and non-tidal stretches. They seem to be playing an environmental card to safeguard their commercial interests claiming that canoeing causes damage to the SSSI, SAC and RAMSAR site. It appears that this action is independent of Natural England and that they have enlisted the police to evict canoeists from the river on two occasions in May 2011. I believe, during this time, others have received a number of threatening calls from someone attesting that no canoeing is to be permitted above the Priory at Christchurch (approximately 1 km downstream of the tidal limit)
Perhaps not coincidentally, The old sign (above) has been removed and 5 new signs adorn the banks - before and around the A35 bridge, downstream.
Has the tide gone out at Christchurch? :)
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