A FLOTILLA of speed limit protesters sailed around Windermere this weekend with former Sports Minister Kate Hoey at the helm.

Horns sounding, the chain of white vessels cruised in a slow-moving procession of yachts, speedboats, dinghies and canoes in a demonstration against plans to introduce a 10mph speed limit on the lake in 2005.

The limit will effectively mean the end of sports boats and activities such as water-skiing and campaigners say it will drive away younger visitors and hammer the economy.

Speaking aboard a Compromis 888' cruising yacht, Ms Hoey said the government had made a bad choice and criticised the Lake District National Park Authority and South Lakeland District Council for failing to listen to local people.

"The LDNPA and SLDC have a big responsibility to the area. They should be more concerned about the economic effects. It seemed no one wanted to have any dialogue with us.

"I have supported this campaign since I was Sports Minister and I was overruled by John Prescott who thought he knew more about it. My government did not want to listen to local people.

"It is very important that people speak out. We have got two years so we have got hope even at this late stage. If the ban goes ahead, it will come at a terrible cost to the local economy."

Two abreast, the boats patiently circled Belle Isle at around five knots bobbing in the mid-day sun.

Ms Hoey said environmental arguments for a speed ban had been based on out-of-date evidence and she called on the LDNPA to reconsider drawing up a management plan, which would allow all users to share the lake.

Bare-chested skippers in deck shoes were joined by bikini-clad sun worshippers, visitors, water skiers

and local boat owners on board

around 300 boats.

Lake user and skipper on Kate Hoey's vessel for the day was

John Summerfield of Skegby, Nottinghamshire, whose boat is permanently moored at Shepherds Boat Yard, Bowness.

"We are here to register our opposition to the ban. I think it is unjust and unnecessary. We have been coming here for 16 years with both sailing boats and powerboats. We come up every weekend," he said.

"If this happens it will hammer the local economy. We know all the shopkeepers round here and we use all the facilities. The sailing community on Windermere is realistic but we are never going to lose hope."

Protest organiser and businessman Norman Park, of Shepherds Boat Yard, said the limit could cost the area up to £25 million in revenue every year and around 1,000 jobs.

He appealed to the LDNPA to sit down with all user groups to come up with a proper management plan that would allow everyone a chance to enjoy the lake.

A statement issued by the LDNPA this week said the speed limit decision, which was the result of a long pubic inquiry, still stood.

"We are very keen and willing to talk to individuals, businesses and organisations, about their plans and aspirations for the future use and prosperity of England's largest and most popular lake. Already business have invested just under a million pounds in preparation.

"While we appreciate that we are unlikely to change the minds of people who take a different position from ourselves - many of whom were at the Windermere demonstration - similarly our minds will not change either. The speed limit is law."

June 5, 2003 14:30