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Last bid to resolve lake speed measurement

Published on: 23 Jan 2012

A final attempt is being launched to determine whether the 10 miles per hour speed limit on England’s longest and busiest lake should be measured in normal statute miles per hour or knots – the nautical version.

For the next eight weeks anyone with an interest in Windermere is being urged to answer a Lake District National Park Authority questionnaire to enable a final case to be made to the Government to show that lake users understand that knots per hour is the preferred measurement.

LDNPA officials thought the issue had been clarified last year when it submitted changes to the byelaws that regulate activity on the 10.5 mile long lake. The minister approved most measures but expressed a view that “insufficient evidence” was available to show that measuring speed in knots was accepted and understood by most lake users.

It’s now hoped the results of the consultation should provide the additional proof wanted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

“We welcome people’s opinions, whether they are a boat user or someone who appreciates and enjoys the lake in other ways. We are trying to introduce navigation byelaws that are simple to understand and enforce.

“This way we will create a safe lake environment for everyone to enjoy,” said national park catchment projects co-ordinator Rebecca Cathey.

National Park officials are clear that the current “knots consultation”, which runs until 19 March, does not include looking at the general principle of having a 10 mph Windermere speed limit - which LDNPA members have said they do not intend reviewing. But other areas where lake users can express a view include:

• lake safety
• unattended vessels
• notification of accidents
• provision of information
• speed limit exemptions

Full background information on the resubmission of the 2008 Navigation Byelaws and the questionnaire itself can be found at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/windermereconsultation.