One run for 'Bluebird' on Coniston (From The Westmorland Gazette)

One run for 'Bluebird' on Coniston

8:20am Thursday 21st May 2009

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Donald Campbell’s iconic Bluebird K7 British water speed record craft looks likely to speed down Coniston Water again – if only for a “one-off” Lake District proving trial.

Members of the National Park Authority today voted to amend its lake byelaws to allow the trial, but they decided not to give permission for further regular runs in the future. An application to amend the byelaws will now be submitted to the Government.

The team which recovered Bluebird from Coniston in 2001 have almost completed the craft’s restoration and now want to test Bluebird again on the lake which has such historic connections with the Campbell family.

A report from the national park’s catchment project coordinator Suzy Grindley said a major consultation exercise had taken place since the authority last considered the issues in November 2008. This had shown “significant support” to allow the Bluebird team to run proving trials.

At the moment the Coniston Water byelaws do allow vessels to exceed the 10 mph speed limit during legitimate world record bids. And although Bluebird still holds the outright British water speed record of 276.3 mph the team behind the rebuilding project accept it could not make a serious challenge during an event such as the annual Records Week event in the autumn.

And this was the reason behind the request for a change the byelaws to allow Bluebird to carry out trials at speeds approaching 100 mph.

The consultation - which included questionnaires, a public meeting, on-line submissions and a workshop – did show public support for the Bluebird request and its possible beneficial effect on tourism and local businesses.

However members were told that there were also “strong concerns” over issues of health and safety, environmental impacts, noise and water pollution.

“The consultation has shown there is clear support for the proving trials to take place on Coniston Water if undertaken under strict conditions regarding timing of the event, health and safety and environmental considerations.

“If the Authority is to amend the existing byelaws to permit the exceeding of the 10 mph speed limit by Bluebird it must be satisfied that the safety of lake users is ensured. It must also be satisfied that the use of the lake by Bluebird will not damage the amenity and natural beauty of the lake and surrounding area and that it will not cause nuisance or damage,” Suzy’s report concluded.

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