A PRESSURE group has been founded which aims to bring an end to the chaos surrounding the Windermere Ferry and its machine-based ticketing system.

It was born out of a petition that has been gaining signatures from ferry users who are opposed to the current system, and wish for a return to the old one that allowed people to pay in cash once on board the vessel.

The petition has gained more than 3,000 signatures since it began in early April, and has been signed by local people and tourists alike.

The signatories are complaining that the shore-based ticket machines are hard to use, slow down the boarding process and cause unnecessary queueing and stress for customers who have to leave their vehicles to use them.

Cumbria County Council responded by saying that on-board payment would be possible by contactless card and has installed more ticket machines on the shore.

"People have been silently seething but now we are giving them a voice," said petition organiser Jenny Slee. "Our goal is a common sense approach to the ferry. We are doing what we can to raise the profile of this ongoing problem.

"We are not technophobes who just hate the machines. We just hate a system that causes inconvenience to customers and staff.

"The petition proves that these aren't the complaints of a few nutters. It is the majority of paying customers."

The pressure group is planning on contacting the local government ombudsman in order to put further pressure on the county council to reconsider its approach to the ticketing system.

Meanwhile, signs have been put up on the shore and the ferry, by both police and the council, warning commuters that violence is not acceptable.

The police sign reads 'please note that the staff operating this ferry are not responsible for the operation or installation of the ticket machines.'

Another sign, bearing the county council logo, says 'Violence is not acceptable here'.

Ms Slee said: "If there wasn't a problem there would be no need to put these signs up."

A spokesperson for CCC said: "Following feedback Cumbria County Council are undertaking a number of actions to improve our customers' experience.

"We have already installed additional ticket machines on each side of Windermere and there is also a ticket machine in operation on the ferry. All of these machines take cash or card payments. So cash payments are possible, just not cash payments made directly to staff.

"The council is also keen to stress that it has, and will continue to, listen to local feedback. We remain committed to open communication with the ferry’s users and its customers."