Driver quizzed over Lakes limit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/cumbria/6913575.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A blind waterskiing champion has deliberately broken the 10mph speed limit on England's largest lake.

Gerald Price, 74, skied at 28mph in a bid to challenge a power boating ban on Windermere in the Lake District.

Enforcement officers from the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) interviewed Kevan Furber, the boat's driver.

Both men represent the Keep Windermere Alive Association (KWAA), which is campaigning against the restrictions.

The by-law is draconian and we believe it is disproportionate to what it is trying to achieve Kevan Furber

In March 2005, the LDNPA outlawed high-speed craft in a move to restore the area's tranquillity.

But some businesses and MPs said it has affected the local economy, which was badly hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001.

Earlier this year the KWAA proposed a managed solution but, after taking advice from lawyers, the authority said it would not alter the limit.

Now campaigners say a legal challenge is the only way forward.

On Tuesday morning, Mr Furber made two journeys, as enforcement officers only issued a warning, in preference to taking evidence for a prosecution, the first time.

He told the Lake Patrol Ranger: "The by-law is draconian and we believe it is disproportionate to what it is trying to achieve.

Mr Price says he has been "robbed" of his enjoyment of Windermere

"It's not about me breaking the law. It's about trying to bring the National Park to the table so we can all share these wonderful surroundings."

Mr Price, who set a world speed record for blind waterskiing at Windermere in October 2004, called the restrictions "unjust, unfair and unreasonable".

After skiing down the lake, he said: "I really, really enjoyed that ski."

An LDNPA spokesman said: "We were in attendance this morning and have taken video evidence, laser speed gun readings and carried out formal interviews with the driver of the boat.

"This information will now be collated and will then be sent to Cumbria Police, who in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service, will then decide if there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution."

Eight people have been prosecuted since the 10mph speed limit was introduced, he added.