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.
If you are interested in the detailed results of this survey, please contact us at
secretary@riverseverncustodians.co.uk