Still Life
What has happened to the Lakes?
Where have the fun and families gone?
Do you think the Lake is uninspiring?
Were you aware that the NPA are changing the Byelaw again?
Help us to forge a link with the NPA, help us to look after the interests of all motor boats.
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Background
The 10MPH speed limit on Lake Windermere arose from a few unelected individuals on the LNDPA suggesting a speed limit as a means of securing their narrow interests. The LDNPA is made of co-opted members from Councils and unelected individuals, the people of Windermere and the Lake users have never been able to democratically elect members and the rate payers in the area have no control or say in the running of the Authority. The LDNPA is a classic Quango, unelected, unaccountable and according to recent inspections poorly managed.KWA want the LDNPA to behave in reasonable and inclusive way like the National Park Authorities on Loch Lomond and The Norfolk Broads who have managed this issue without resorting to banning sports such as water ski-ing by imposing a 10mph speed limit.
KWA recognise that the Wardens who Patrol the Lake are used mostly by boats who pay no registration fees. KWA want such fees either removed or applied more fairly.
KWA is the only organisation to have funded it's own independent safety report on Lake Windermere even though this should have been undertaken by the LDNPA.
In the past KWA have organised boat rallies, lobbied politicians, written to the LDNPA and attended meetings on behalf of motor boat users. Most recently KWA have taken the LDNPA to Court over the incorrect wording in the Byelaw and are pursuing a case against the Authority as it seeks to impose a byelaw that is incorrectly worded and disproportionate in its powers to resolve a local issue.
History
1925 Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club is founded.1931 the first waterskiier is photographed on Windermere
1951 Lake District National Park was established
1976 The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) put 10MPH speed limits on Coniston Water, Derwentwater and from 1981 Ullswater promising that Windermere will be left for water skiers and powered craft.
1989 A 10mph Speed Limit was suggested by the environmental pressure group The Friends of The lake District Secretary Mike Houston.
1991 The LDNPA fell into place with The Friends of The Lake District and went against the advice of it's own Chief Officers and proposed a 10MPH speed limit on Lake Windermere.
1992 With the backing of the Countryside Commission the LDNPA decide to pursue the Speed limit and instruct it's officers not to enter into any discussions on the proposed byelaw.
1994 The Public enquiry takes place headed by Alun Alesbury.The Lake Windermere Wardens, who have patrolled the Lake are banned by their employer from giving evidence.
1995 Despite dismissing all the Environmental concerns the Inspector finds in the LDNPA favour based on grounds of incompatibility with a National Park.
1996 John Gummer(the then Secretary of State) refuses to pass the Byelaw asking for all parties to come to a compromise agreement. The LDNPA refuse to discuss any compromise.
2000 Following a change of Government to Labour the MP for Sunderland South Chris Mullin decides to support the 10MPH speed limit.
2001 The LDNPA tell businesses to prepare for the introduction of the byelaw in 2005.
2005 Despite rallies, lobbying (35,000 signed petition) and large postbags the LDNPA introduce the 10MPH Speed limit on Lake Windermere.
2006 The LDNPA are surprised at the black hole in their accounts as boat registrations for the Lake plummet.
2006 Life on the lake has disappeared
2007 Still no life.
2008 The Lake is extremely quiet and visitors on board sight seeing boats frequently comment that the life, enjoyment and vibrancy has gone. Marine businesses have either relocated to the South to more welcoming areas or simply folded, the economic gap supposedly which should have been filled by wind surfers, sailors and canoeists is just that a gap. But our argument is not just an economic one, it is fundamentally that an unelected body have imposed their will on the rights of families and individuals to carry out a legitimate past time or sport that should be their right to enjoy on Lake Windermere. Cumbria is not only losing it's visitors but it is losing it's youth, as they move to areas unencumbered by Quango's who take away what little fun that can be enjoyed in a rural area(Loch Lomond and The Norfolk Broads have more amenable Authorities who work with water users). Help us reverse this decision by signing up on his web site and help us stop the LDNPA from future restrictions on other people's activities in our park.
