| Facts | The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) says rangers will be on duty from 29 March. A 10mph limit for boats is already in force on Coniston Speedboats have come to Windermere for 34 years to try to set new water speed records for their class. The current record on Windermere is 154mph. Campaigners against the 10mph limit attached boats to their cars and drove at the same speed through the streets of Kendal during December 2003 More than 4,000 protesters took part in a rally against the speed limit in August 2000 The four busiest areas of Windermere already have a 6mph limit. The speed limit has been put in place following a 13 year debate, including a three month public inquiry. In 2002, almost 500 warnings about speeding were issued by the Lake Patrol Team, and in 2001 there were 638. |
A 10mph speed limit has finally come into force on Windermere - more than a decade after it was first proposed. The restriction covers all powered craft on the lake, including jet-skis. The aim of the limit is to bring calm to the lake's waters, but it continues to whip up a storm of opinions. Supporters say the limit will remove conflict between lake users, create a tranquil atmosphere and will recapture Windermere's place as the "jewel in the crown of the Lake District". But opponents say they have nowhere else to water-ski or use power boats and claim there was no real conflict between users. They're concerned about the impact on Windermere's atmosphere and economy. Time to adapt The bylaw was confirmed in 2000 following a public inquiry, but it was suspended for five years to give businesses time to adapt, the Lake District National Park Authority said. The Authority intends to enforce the limit by collecting evidence using digital video equipment, still cameras and a laser gun. BBC Radio Cumbria reports Our reporter Martin Lewes was the only journalist at the meeting where the limit was first proposed, and has reported on it ever since. You can hear his special report here:
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