A PLAID Cymru MP has criticised the UK Government for continuing to “drag their heels” by failing to introduce legislation on the licensing of jet skis.

Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, introduced a Private Members’ Bill in Westminster in November 2020 that would have established a licensing system for drivers of personal watercrafts and created the offence of driving a jet ski without a licence.

The bill was tabled in response to mounting concerns about the dangerous and irresponsible use of personal watercraft or jet skis along the Ceredigion and Gwynedd coastline, and the lack of enforcement power available to local authorities to police the situation.

The problem is not unique to Wales, with many coastal communities across the UK reporting similar incidents.

Concerns about jet skis were raised again recently following an incident off Criccieth beach where one woman was horrified to see jet skis riding close to swimmers and kayakers.

The local resident raised concerns that the situation would get worse with a busy summer ahead.

Plaid Cymru secured a meeting with the under-secretary of state for transport, Robert Courts MP, to discuss the government’s plans for legislation on the licencing of jet skis and was assured that plans were underway.

However, a written parliamentary question tabled on 1 July revealed that no time frame had been decided for the passage of such legislation.

The Plaid Cymru MPs urged the UK government to act to end the “free-for-all” that currently allows anyone to use personal watercrafts without a licence.

Writing to Mr Courts, Mr Williams said: “In making the case for the legislation, I detailed the numerous examples of jet skis being driven at speed close to bathing beaches, accidental collisions with boats and near misses, the disturbing of people fishing from the shore, and incidents of jet ski drivers intruding into nature reserves.

“I am concerned that it appears as though little progress has been made in the months which have followed.

“Over these many months, people have written to me with further examples of the irresponsible and downright dangerous use of jet skis.

“Last summer, we had fatalities associated with jet skis on the shores of Gwynedd and there were deaths and incidents of injury elsewhere. We are now entering another summer and I fear lack of regulation will result in similar incidents.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The majority of personal watercraft and motor craft users operate their vessels responsibly but there are some who don’t respect the water, the capabilities of their vessels and other water users.

“Local and harbour authorities already have the powers to enact byelaws stipulating provisions such as minimum age of use, training and insurance requirements.

“These can be used to enforce the separation of activities to ensure the safety of all beach users.

“In the event that bylaws are breached, the local or harbour authority and the police have the powers to prosecute offenders, so any such activity should be reported immediately to the police.”