Friends of the Lake District

Wednesday 21st March

Friends welcome vote of common sense over Windermere

The decision by the Lake District National Park Authority not to enter into talks about reversing the 10 mph speed limit on Windermere has been welcome as a vote for common sense by local landscape charity Friends of the Lake District.

The vote by the Authority's committee had come about following a meeting between representatives of Keep Windermere Alive Association (KWAA) and Authority senior officers, in response to a legal challenge by blind water skier Gerald Price and the KWAA to the lake's 10 miles an hour speed limit, introduced in March 2005.

'The existing speed limit was a result of a detailed and costly public inquiry where all the options for managing lake recreation were considered,' said Friends of the Lake District Executive Director, Andrew Forsyth. 'We are delighted that the Authority has re-affirmed the conclusions of that public inquiry and come out in support of the bylaw. The latest research from Cumbria Tourism tell us that over 90% of people who visit Cumbria are attracted by the area's peace and quiet and opportunities to rest and relax. To contemplate renegotiating the speed limit might not only end up being costly to the tax payer, but would also risk eroding the very quality which attracts the majority of people to this area.'

EDITORS NOTES:

1. Contacts: Andrew Forsyth, or Martin Varley, Communications Officer, Friends of the Lake District 01539 720788, mobile 07789937814

1. Friends of the Lake District theme for 2007 is 'Cumbria - It's Your Landscape'. Throughout the year we are focusing our work on the range of special qualities of Cumbria's landscape and encouraging local people to enjoy, celebrate and enhance this great resource on their doorstep.
2. Friends of the Lake District is a registered charity committed to enhancing and protecting the landscape and natural beauty of Cumbria and cooperating with other bodies with similar objectives or interests. We have nearly 7000 members nationwide. We are also regional representatives for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, a national charity that helps people keep their local countryside beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone.