Lake District National Park Authority
AINA Representative: Mr Bob Cartwright - Director of Park Services
Murley Moss Kendal
Oxenholme Road
Cumbria
LA9 7RL
Telephone: 01539 724555
Fax: 01539 740822
Email: hq@lake-district.gov.uk,
Website: http://www.lake-district.gov.uk
Constitutional status
A National Park Authority.
Description of navigation
An area of 16 lakes, 4 of which have navigation including Lake Windermere 14.7sq km, Coniston Water 4.7sq km, Ullswater 8.8 sq km, and Bassenthwaite Lake 5.1 sq km.
A brief history of the navigation
The Lake District National Park is a special place. It is one of a family of National Parks in England and Wales and it was created in 1851. The National Park covers some 2,292 sq km and within its boundary it includes England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike) and deepest lake (Wastwater), as well as a stretch of coastline and busy tourist towns like Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere.
Boating on the lakes has been an important feature of the area for over 100 years. In more recent years this has included speed boats and use for water speed events. Over time, 10mph speed limits have been imposed on the navigable lakes.
Current situation and use
The National Park Authority is a relatively small landowner in its own right but within its ownership lies part of Ullswater and Bassenthwaite Lakes. Ullswater has a right of navigation.
On Windermere, the National Park authority is not the owner, but administers the lake byelaws which were introduced under Section 13 of the Countryside Act 1968, for the control of power driven vessels and navigation. Windermere also has a public right of navigation. The Authority is responsible for the administration of the Windermere registration scheme and for the enforcement of the lake byelaws.
Plans for the future
The Government has approved 10 mph byelaws for Lake Windermere which was implemented on 29 March 2005.
The Authority has decided not to allow applications for exemptions from the speed limit from the organisers of the annual Records Week, the Classic motor Boat Rally and from the Windermere Boat Racing Club and the Windermere Skiers Association.
A new lake strategy has been published for Lake Windermere. This work was carried out by the Authority, South Lakeland District Council and others, and sets out management proposals for the lake and the Windermere Basin.
How we consult with our users
We have an extensive programme of consultation and liaison with users of the National Park and have specific forums for matters concerning the management of Windermere and Bassenthwaite Lakes. We are a member body of the Coniston Water Association. We publish an annual report, a residents newsletter, a Windermere Annual Report & Users Guide, advisory pamphlets for all navigable waters and have a comprehensive website – http://www.lake-district.gov.uk
How we are structured
Please see website for details.
Navigation statistics
|
Ullswater |
Windermere |
|
Length/area of navigable waterway |
11km |
17km |
Boating statistics
12 month period
Licences/Registrations - 2007 Registrations - Windermere Only
|
Boat Type |
Long-Term |
Short-Term |
|
|
Powered |
Unpowered |
Powered |
Unpowered |
|
Privately owned |
3950 |
75 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hire – day boats |
85 |
157 |
|
|
|
Hire – overnight stay/timeshare |
|
|
|
|
|
Hire – trip boat/ restaurant/passenger |
15 |
|
|
|
|
Hire – hotel |
|
|
|
|
|
Other business/charity boats |
|
|
|
|
Requirements for boating
|
Boat Safety Scheme |
Yes |
|
Third Party Insurance |
Yes |