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Survey of River Users

In the summer of 2014, the RSC went out along the Severn to monitor river users. We counted the walkers and cyclists, and their dogs, kids and strollers to find out who is on the river, and where and when.

Our riverside amenities are well loved and used by Newtown residents.  We surveyed on two different Saturdays and counted almost 1000 people. See the summary table below.

Site

26/07/2014

9/08/2014

Total

Average

Total number of people

453

483

936

468

Total number of groups

280

293

573

287

No. of children with parents

62

51

113

57

No. of cyclists

94

90

184

92

No. of other wheelies

20

20

40

20

No. dogs

77

59

136

68

% males (among adults)

61

56

117

59

% of groups with solitary passers by

60

55

115

58

% going upstream

55

54

109

55

Over a two hour period (1100 to 1300) on two pleasant summer Saturdays an average of 468 people in 287 groups were recorded at 7 survey sites along the river. The results were remarkably consistent on the two days.  Of the total, 57 (only 12%) were young children accompanied by parents. 92 (20%) were cyclists and a few went by in pushchairs, strollers and mobility scooter. An average of 68 dogs were walked each survey day.

A majority of the “groups” passing by were people on their own, walking, cycling, shopping or heading through town and choosing to travel near the attractive river.  More men (59%) are river users than women. 

The traffic was fairly constant over the period from 1100 to 1300.  44% were recorded before noon and 56% between 1200 and 1300. Of the 287 groups, slightly more people were heading upstream (55%) than down.

Downstream of the Halfpenny Bridge on the left bank and heading past the Pumphouse toward Abermule, there were mostly cyclists.  Underneath the halfpenny bridge on the right bank, people were feeding the ducks and playing in the river.  Between the town's two pedestrian bridges there was a mix of walkers, shoppers, kids and dogs. Our busiest site was near the children’s playground and Ladywell Green School.  People here were strolling, exercising, heading to and from town and playing in the river.  As you head upstream to the playing fields the number of dog walkers increased. Near Vaynor it was almost all dog walkers, taking their pets to the river for a constitutional. Watch where you step when walking there!  By the time you get further from town, near Mochdre Brook, the river is peaceful and left mostly to the birds and other wildlife.

Although 7 sites were surveyed each day, some of the sites were slightly different, making a total of 9 locations. The total number of passers by at each site are averaged over the two days where sites were repeated. The black columns of the graph indicate the number of people at the corresponding purple dots below, showing the survey locations.

sitevNos

If you are interested in the detailed results of this survey, please contact us at

secretary@riverseverncustodians.co.uk