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Blind water-skier’s war on lakeland speed limit
Gemma Rathbone17/ 1/2007
A RECORD-breaking blind water-skier is threatening a legal challenge against what he calls a 'ridiculous' speed limit on England's largest lake.
Gerald Price, 74, of Heaton Chapel, claims the 10mph limit on Windermere in the Lake District breaches human rights and wants a lake management plan to consider the requirements of all users.
Mr Price, a founder member of the British Disabled Water Ski Association, has set three world records and represented Great Britain in four water-skiing world championships.
In October 2004, he skimmed across Windermere at 46.2mph but said hopes of achieving further records have been thwarted by the byelaw.
"The byelaw is ridiculous," he said. "It's taken away one of the best sports for disabled people and a very good family activity.
"I just cannot understand why anyone would want to effectively ban water-skiing at Windermere.
"We're hoping they will talk to us. But, if necessary, we will notify them that I'll be skiing at a certain time in a certain place.
"If they don't turn-up, that means the law is unenforceable and unjust."
With the backing of the Keep Windermere Alive Association (KWAA), Mr Price has given notice to the Lake District National Park Authority of the intention to challenge the legality of the byelaw.
The law came into effect in 2005 in a move to restore the lake's tranquillity, and the national park authority said it has been an environmental success.
But campaigners say the law excludes the largest historical user group from the lake and that the restriction has had a devastating effect on the local economy.
The byelaw is challenged on the alleged grounds of ambiguity in the conversion of nautical miles per hour to kilometres per hour, its 'oppressive interference' with public rights of navigation and 'breaches' of the European Convention on Human Rights by 'adversely affecting individuals and businesses.'
Lawyers have given national park officials 35 days to enter into dialogue. Mr Price, also a prominent UKIP member, is confident that the legal challenge will succeed and that he will face prosecution if necessary.
A host of local and national groups is supporting the challenge and a petition has been signed by more than 45,000 individuals.
The national park authority reported that overall boat numbers have dropped by around 350 from 2005's figure of 4,340. It says that of the Lake District's 12-14million annual visitors, there is no evidence the one per cent involved in fast water activities has stayed away.
A park authority spokesman said an extensive inquiry was held and an independent inspector found the only solution would be to introduce a speed limit.
He added: "We gave five years' notice so the public and businesses could adapt the ways they use the lake.
"We looked at evidence on both sides and there was always going to be a conflict.
"We believe it's a lot more tranquil than it used to be. Nearly all the fast power boats, jet skiers and water skiers have dispersed and yachting, rowing and canoeing have come back."
Most recent 2 of 15 user comments
The national park authority and the Friends Of the Lake District seem to regard non motorised boating as a more legitimate past-time than motorised boating and they have sought to impose a measure that is intended to benefit one user group at the expense of another. Are they not imposing their middle class values on everyone else?
Why cannot the water skiers be give alternative facilities in the national park? Why does the national park authority turn down planning applications to use resevoirs for water sports?
12/05/2007 at 08:47
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24/07/2007 at 11:49