Powered vessels could be banned from small Lake District waters
It's after reports of ‘conflicts’ between drivers and swimmers in the water
Powered vessels could be banned from small Lake District waters after reports of ‘conflicts’ between drivers and swimmers.
The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) is carrying out a consultation on proposals to amend byelaws to prohibit the use of powered vessels on the smaller lakes.
This comes after reports of incidents between electrically powered vessels and swimmers where injury to individuals has been ‘narrowly avoided’.
Under the proposed changes, the maximum fine that could be issued for a breach of the byelaws will be £500.
National Park documents read: “Whilst many of the uses, such as paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming are appropriate for the smaller lakes, we have also seen an increase in the use of vessels powered by electric motors.
“Conflicts between users of the smaller lakes, mainly between drivers of electrically powered vessels and swimmers have been reported in recent years incidents, including incidents where injury to individuals has been narrowly avoided.
“As the popularity of ‘wild swimming’ has increased the number of smaller lakes being used for this form of recreation has also increased.”
The LDNPA state there are four lakes, (Windermere, Coniston, Derwentwater and Ullswater) that are suitable for use by power-driven vessels, which will be unaffected by the proposed changes.
According to the authority the smaller lakes are more ‘appropriately used’ for activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming.
National park documents add: “The Byelaws have been overtaken by changes to technology and larger numbers of visitors to the Lake District National Park have increased the use of the smaller lakes for recreational purposes.
“An amendment to the Byelaws is necessary to conserve the amenity and natural beauty of the smaller lakes and their surrounding areas and prevent nuisance or damage to the smaller lakes.”
The LDNPA state exceptions to the byelaws include the police, the Environment Agency, any person taking part in rescue operations and any person employed by or acting with the written consent of the national park authority.
The authority adds it has tried to mitigate the impact of the proposals on those with limited mobility by accommodating aids such as hand-pedalled canoes and larger vessels.
According to the LDNPA, the proposed change in the byelaws could be applied to Bassenthwaite Lake, Beacon Tarn, Blea Tarn (Langdale), Bleham Tarn, Brotherswater, Buttermere, Crummock Water, Devokewater Tarn , Elterwater, Ennerdale, Esthwaite Lake, Grasmere, High Dam Tarn, Little Langdale Tarn, Loughrigg Tarn, Loweswater, Overwater, Rydal Water, Tarn Hows, Wastwater and Yew Tree Tarn.
A consultation on the proposed changes will end on May 31st.