Speedboat ban welcomed

Sir Chris Bonington, President of the Council for National Parks, yesterday welcomed a High Court decision which will effectively ban power boating on Lake Windermere.

John Gummer, the former environment secretary, had previously rejected a recommendation by a Home Office planning inspector to impose a 10mph speed limit on Windermere, in the Lake District National Park. The inspector concluded: "In my judgement there will certainly be a marked improvement in conditions on Windermere if the speed limit is confirmed."

Sir Chris said the High Court's decision to uphold the inspector's recommendation gave the new government a "marvellous opportunity" to look again at the future use of Windermere.