HOPES that Donald Campbell’s iconic Bluebird K7 will sail on Coniston again have risen after both parties involved in a long running dispute over the craft pledged that their aim was to see it in action once more.

Bluebird was raised from the lake in 2001, but a dispute between the restoration team and the Ruskin Museum, which stands by the water close to where Mr Campbell lost his life while piloting the craft in a world water speed record attempt, has hampered efforts to see the legendary boat surging through the lake’s waters again.

However, a break in the deadlock now looks possible after both sides confirmed they have a shared aim of seeing the craft back in the water at Coniston.

“We are very much hoping to come to an agreement regarding Bluebird’s future, both in the museum and on the water,” said a spokesperson for Coniston Institute and the Ruskin Museum.

“Our focus at present is on ensuring Bluebird returns home so she can be enjoyed by everyone who wants to see her.”

And Bill Smith, who led the team which successful raised the wrecked boat and painstakingly restored it to its former glory, said his organisation was also fully committed to that target.

“It has always been our aim to get Bluebird back on Coniston Water,” he said.

“We are very keen to see that happen.”

The Bluebird K7 made world headlines in January 1967 when Mr Campbell’s attempt to break the 300 miles per hour barrier ended in tragedy when the boat flipped over and broke up, killing him instantly.

The remains of the boat lay on the lake bed for many years, but the wreckage was retrieved by Mr Smith’s Tyneside based team in 2001, and they have since restored the craft.

A special wing has been constructed at the museum to house the craft, but it currently lies at a workshop in the North East.

And plans for Bluebird to take to the waters of Coniston once more have been delayed after the Ruskin Museum, who were formally gifted the wreckage by Mr Campbell’s daughter Gina, and Mr Smith’s salvage team, who also have partial ownership of the craft, failed to reach agreement on its future.

The issue made national headlines earlier this week when it was revealed that legal representatives from the museum had become involved.

Mr Smith’s team have said they plan to put Bluebird on display in Scotland this summer, though no agreement with the museum has been reached.

However, with both parties pledged to working towards Bluebird being back in action on Coniston, hopes the deadlock will soon be resolved have now been reignited.