Donald Campbell's Bluebird challenges Conistons 10mph limit

9:43am Friday 21st November 2008

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BLUEBIRD will power its way across Coniston Water once more if a public consultation into changing the lake’s by-laws is favourably received, reports Matthew Taylor.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) this week agreed to gauge public opinion on whether to let the record-breaking craft exceed the lake’s speed limit.

At present, hydroplanes can only go over 10mph on the lake if they intend to mount a serious record attempt.

The rebuilt Bluebird would be capable of speeds well above 10 mph, but its restorers say it would no longer be capable of mounting a serious and legitimate challenge to the craft’s own British Outright water speed record of 276.3 mph.

The consultation exercise asks for comments on whether to keep the by-laws as they are or promote a totally new by-law specifically for Bluebird K7.

Engineer and diver Bill Smith recovered the hydroplane from Coniston Water in 2001, 34 years after Sir Donald Campbell died piloting the craft during a world record attempt in January 1967.

Mr Smith has since been repairing the iconic machine ahead of its installation in a purpose-built extension to the Ruskin Museum.

The decision to run the rebuilt craft on Coniston Water met a mixed reaction when it was announced earlier this year, with one eye-witness to Mr Campbell’s crash likening it to rebuilding the car in which Princess Diana suffered fatal injuries.

“It could be argued that such high speeds are no longer appropriate even if confined to occasional trials or that such activity would compromise lake safety, the lake’s environment and its tranquillity,” said LDNPA’s director of park services Bob Cartwright.

“But Bluebird also represents an iconic element of the cultural heritage of the area by virtue of its place in the history of the Lake District, Coniston and Coniston Water,” he added. “The trials would also be likely to attract a good deal of public interest, which could augment the local economy.”

In supporting the idea in principle, an LDNPA report said that the request from the team behind the rebuilding of Bluebird should be considered as a “unique case” but one that must still be given widespread opportunities for people to express their views and opinions.