HIGH-SPEED water sports enthusiasts were enjoying their final day on the waters of Windermere today before a 10mph speed limit comes into force at midnight.
Some groups are said to be preparing to break the law, while blind world water skiing record holder Gerald Price, from Heaton Chapel, Stockport, is vowing to challenge the ban in the European Court of Human Rights.
Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) rangers will enforce the speed limit, using hand-held speed detectors and covert video surveillance to trap offenders.
Law-breakers run the risk of a fine of hundreds of pounds.
Mr Price and Kevan Furber, both from Stockport and members of the Keep Windermere Alive group, took their opposition to the ban to the All Party Group on Tourism and Sport meeting in the Commons last week.
Following their submissions, the group prepared and submitted an Early Day Motion to seek additional support from other MPs.
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Last year 71-year-old grandfather Mr Price was towed behind a speedboat driven by Mark Threadgold, who is also blind, to set a new record by skimming across the lake at 46.2mph, breaking his own record of 42 mph. The waters are also used for the popular world records week, attracting people from all over the world trying to set speed records.
Mr Price, a UKIP parliamentary candidate for Denton and Reddish, said: "There have been over 40,000 names on a petition by people who do not want the 10mph speed limit. So how can the Lake District National Park Authority get away with ignoring the views of so many?
"It could change the limit from 10 to 35 mph, grant dispensation to Windermere Motorboat Racing Club for marshalled events and for world records week. With a proper lake management plan, this would be acceptable to most people."
Members of the Windermere Action Force plan to take to the water and flout the speed limit to challenge the new law.
An LDNPA spokesman said it would prosecute offenders and there would be no U-turn on the law.
Insp Richard Vernon, of Cumbria police, said: "We will be involved in a supportive role alongside the LDNPA to deal with any protests or enforcement issues."
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bob martin, lakes (28/03/2005 at 19:58)
so let us have our safe haven inland waterways and keep the beginners coming,were always friendly to everyone,
disgruntled mancunian with the lakes as a favourite..stick your rules up your arse im still going to break them,just catch me if u can.
Fiona, Cumbria (29/03/2005 at 09:50)
Craig, Cumbria (30/03/2005 at 01:23)
Justin, Newcastle (30/03/2005 at 15:36)
It must, must, must be overturned and people must get behind the groups who are against the speed limit.
I spoke to the lake warden today who told me the fine for speeding would be 500 pounds!! I challenged him on this and he then backtacked and said it could be up to 500 pounds. This is a deliberate lie.
The lake was much busier in the 80's early 90's. I have been water skiing on windermere all my life and intend to continue. Good luck.
duncan, scotland (30/03/2005 at 23:07)
Craig, Cumbria (31/03/2005 at 00:44)
Dave, Silsden West Yorkshire (31/03/2005 at 12:06)
Sal, Ilkley (31/03/2005 at 12:14)
Justin, Newcastle (31/03/2005 at 17:46)
You sadly do not understand anything that is going on with regards the ban and you are in the minority. I presume you are the smelly, hippy type whose kids are embarrassed when you collect them from school?. Yes, I can fully understand that people who have not experienced or can afford to boat would not fully appreciate the pleasures it can bring. If you were against someone bringing a law in by stealth tactics I presume you would stand up to it the best way possible. This sadly will involve me continuing to enjoy my skiing on windermere.
Craig - If you could get a day off from your job as lollipop man in Ambleside, I would be more than willing to meet you and take you on Windermere. You would of course have to wear a life jacket, bring your 25 metre swimming badge and take orders from me as skipper.
I have spoken to many people in the lake district about this speed limit and the findings are truly incredible:-
1. According to various sources, the lake warden was not supportive of the ban, but have sadly been asked to implement it.
2. The lake warden is now lying about the fine.
3. Fishermen are anti the ban as it will affect the level of weeds seen on lake surface.
4. Brochole Visitor Centre causes pollution.
5. Car noise hugely outways boat noise.
6. I was informed by someone at LDNPA at Kendal that the warden has no power of arrest. Therefore, cover your numbers up, if you are caught speeding simply ignore the warden and return boat to mooring or remove from lake. Sounds simple to me.
7. There is no conflict between sailing boats and power boats. When it is windy, sailing boats are out, when calm skiers and the power boats are out.
8. You would think from this speed limit that there would be strict rules for boating on windermere, I myself service my boat annually at respected marina and also have comprehensive insurance. Yet, I was amazed that you do not have to have ANY form of insurance to go boating on lake windermere!!! Truly amazing. Any idiot can buy a boat, register it , then go tearing around Windermere.
9. A survey was taken over a 2 week period last summer to monitor the prescence of the lake warden. If there was such a problem with boats, then you would expect to see him regularly? Well, no, over this period we saw him only 7 times. 3 sightings were at 9am in morning then after 6.30pm at night. So was there a problem? Of course not.
I look forward to your response Craig. And be careful what websites you are looking at!!!
Justin
Peter, Manchester (31/03/2005 at 17:52)
Dom, Bowness (31/03/2005 at 18:04)
Polluition is negligible, I have seen the results. The amount of water passing through the lake is incredible, a few boats do no registered harm.
Good luck to all who intend to keep using 'their' lake.
Harvey, Northumberland (31/03/2005 at 21:18)
Craig, Cumbria (01/04/2005 at 00:41)
p.s. at least my puerile insults have an element of wit about them.
Craig, Cumbria (02/04/2005 at 02:20)
Secondly, having re-read Justin from Newcastle's latest rant, I note that he appears to deride anyone who might happen to usefully serve as lollipop man in Ambleside...... I wonder, was he forced at some time in the past to stop his 4 X 4 (no doubt equipped with bull bars, and 'go-faster stripes' along the side panels) because a party of school children were on a zebra crossing? Isn't it about time that he and his ilk woke up to the fact that that the law is the law, and that in a civilised society we can't pick and choose which regulations we obey? If these people must spend their weekends polluting the environment, disturbing wildlife, and annoying others, why can't they simply trade-in their toy boats for ride-on petrol lawn-mowers so that they can enjoy endless hours of fun racing up and down their own gardens? If it's raining they can even wear their wetsuits whilst doing so, and their life jackets will come in handy should they accidentally fall into their garden ponds. I'm sure their neighbours will be impressed! Please leave the Lake District to walkers, climbers, rowers, canoeists, kayakers and sailors, together with anyone else who has a proper appreciation of beauty of nature and the tranquillity of their surroundings......in other words, to those who don't interfere with the enjoyment of others. Think about it!
John, Manchester (04/04/2005 at 11:52)
So I will take my money, boat and family to Wales before Craig has the A590 dug up and relayed with a 50ft wide footpath. So all the walkers can come and spend their 3p each or if your lucky they may buy a cup of tea if they break their flask.
Mick Lockwood, Windermere (04/04/2005 at 16:53)
This won't go away, this ill feeling will last for years and it's truly disgraceful.
There is no problem on Windermere; everybody knows this can be resolved with a managed solution. The whole perception of the area is being ruined by the attitude, prejudice, and discrimination of the LDNPA. The undemocratic, underhanded approach of this Quango is in the open for all to see. Whatever your view's on this issue consider the calculation of the guided walks program. Its time we establish an elected body to manage the National Park, its time Michael Bentley and friends were replaced with elected persons more competent and accountable before they destroy what we all have, love and share in this magical region.
Justin, Newcastle (04/04/2005 at 17:17)
Craig - Please lets meet in a couple of weeks when I am over for water skiing.
I look forward to your response.
Peter, Manchester (04/04/2005 at 17:27)
Get the wardnes to patrol the lake more, increase registration fees, check boat insurance, ban jet skis, have set times for set activities, introduce a boat test!!!!
Craig - you as yet have not commented on any of the arguments put to you. You seem be lacking an awful lot of information on this issue. Leave it to people in the know, go and enjoy your walks.
Craig, Cumbria (05/04/2005 at 17:26)
Mark, Windermere (05/04/2005 at 20:58)
I know for a fact there is real unrest within the LDNPA many of its members are frustrated and embarrassed by the actions of their own organization. The Lake Wardens have become disillusioned and are in general against the ban, the fear of losing their jobs is holding them back. Many members of the SLDC want to see more power handed back to them away from LDNPA. The vast majority of local people want a managed solution not a ban. If we come together and keep putting the pressure on, we can overturn this ridicules, spiteful law.
Justin, Newcastle (06/04/2005 at 18:48)
Craig - Apologies for any derogatory comments made. There is a solution so we can all enjoy the lake. I enjoy rowing and own a row boat. I have also canoed on windermere and my wife is taking part in the next swim. I do however enjoy water skiing and that involves use of a power boat.
Mark - Very interesting comments. I just can't see how it is possible to get rid of Bentley??
Mick, Windermere (16/04/2005 at 13:52)
End of the month is the big one, make sure your there !!!
Mick
Jon Paul, Yorkshire (24/04/2005 at 23:50)
I have had the pleasure over the last 15 years to visit regularly the lakes and to enjoy skiing, motor cruising, swimming, walking(sometimes reluctantly), the local restaurants and pubs.
I have spent considerable amounts of money in the local shops contributing to the local economy. Enough has been said and perhaps more remains unspoken about the relative merits of the different interest groups and their contribution to the local community and I normally would not judge someone without good cause but the comments from Craig are seriously regrettable and show a shallow and ignorant perspective - perhaps proponents of this ban would benefit from some research into the history of the ban and listening to the reasoning of those lakeusers who have had their chosen pastimes obliterated by the wishes of an unelected quango - just how selfish and undemocratic is that in this apparently 'free' society.
It would appear that logical reason and democratic process is no longer sufficient and therefore I offer my support to the two boats I saw harmlessly enjoying the lake at a 'little' more than 10 mph, my applause to the skier practicing his chosen sport on the north end of the lake on Saturday and my admiration to the skipper of the (possibly recently named) boat, B*****ks to the Speed Limit!
Now that Craig shows some appreciable wit! Hope to ski you soon, ciao!
andy, clevland (WINDERMERE MOST WEEK DAYS IN SUMMER) (27/05/2005 at 04:34)
I have sent the following to the national parks authority and would elcom any comments from the public
What is the speed limit
I have a query regarding Windermere bylaw 11.3
Is the law what it says or what it was supposed to say .
The limit is currently being promoted as being 10 nautical miles per hour
The problem is that the actual bylaw states that the speed limit is 10 miles per hour (16.093)kilometres per hour)
This could be transposed to read 18.52 kilometres per hour (16.093)kilometres per hour)
or 10 nautical miles per hour (8.69)nautical miles per hour)
This clearly is not 10 nautical miles per hour (18.52)kilometres per hour as is currently being promoted.
So how fast is this we need to know as any prosecution would be based on proving this speed had been exceeded.
John (the fish) Davis, Lancaster (02/06/2005 at 15:27)