Sir, Re Emma Dewhurst’s letters in the November 7 edition ‘No last minute change of heart over speed limit’ and her letter in the November 14 edition the National Park Authority really must have their “heads in the sand” or should I say “heads in the mud of Lake Windermere”. Emma says they have held tours of the Park, met with special interest groups and societies and the 10mph proposal is not a problem.

Can I point out to her the following. The 10mph decision is a problem to the 430 boats and 3,000 people who turned out on Windermere on May 31 this year.

The 10mph decision is a problem to the 200 families who use the Low Wood Watersports Centre and bring 6,000 bed nights to the Windermere and Bowness area.

The 10mph decision is a problem to the 9,000 visitors who learned to water-ski at Low Wood this summer.

The 10mph decision is a problem to the 17 members of staff of the Low Wood Watersports Centre who will be made redundant in April 2005.

Apart from the boats at the May rally, the other statistics relate to just one operator on Windermere, where water-skiing has been carried out safely since 1922! I can assure Emma that if she or any other member of the national park authority would like to come and visit the only purpose-built Ski Centre on the lake, to see for herself families using the lake responsibly, without a problem, she and/or they are most welcome.

It is just a crying shame that when we invited all the national park authority members before the public inquiry, to come to Low Wood, only one member had the courtesy to reply, and no-one came.

T.R.J. Berry Director – Low Wood Ski Centre, Windermere