Committee Report Part One

Lake District National Park Authority

Strategy for Access to Lakes Rivers and the Coast 1

STRATEGY FOR ACCESS TO LAKES RIVERS AND THE COAST

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Lake District has the greatest concentration of inland waters and the greatest length of rivers in England. It also includes 26 miles of the Cumbrian coastline and estuaries. Water related access and recreation is a key part of the activities the Lake District offers, contributing to the world class visitor experience and the vibrant communities within this spectacular landscape.

1.2 A target within the Lake District National Park Authority Business Plan 2009-12 is to develop ‘A strategic framework for access and recreational opportunities for lakes, rivers and the coast’. This document outlines our vision and aims for water related recreation over the next ten years and an associated action plan.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 One of our priorities is to provide opportunities for all, especially non-traditional visitors and local people, to find out what is special about the national park and how they can benefit from it. Water, whether in lakes and tarns, running waterfalls and rivers or our coast-line plays an important part in the spectacular landscape of the Lake District. As such, water related activities are an important means by which we can encourage greater connectivity with the landscape enabling people to get closer to, and appreciate, the landscape around them. There are also significant physical and mental health benefits for those taking part in water related recreation.

2.2 Another key aim is to enable provision of an integrated sustainable transport network which offers attractive alternatives to the car. The four navigable lakes within the Lake District provide opportunities to develop sustainable transport networks, using water-buses and ferries to provide transport services and link into other transport providers, as well as being attractions in their own right.

2.3 Water related recreation is also an important economic driver in the Lake District, with many outdoor sport, education and recreation providers located in the North West due to the abundance of natural resources including its lakes, rivers and coastline (Cumbria Vision, 2008)[1]. Several water related sports have been recognised as having significant potential to expand, including relatively low cost sports such as paddle sports. County-wide initiatives such as Adventure Capital, lead by Cumbria Tourism, focus on developing the region as the leader in the UK for adventure based/adrenaline activities including many water sports (Cumbria Tourism, 2009)[2]. The draft Local Development Framework for the Lake District also recognises the need for some limited lakeshore development to support lake services and facilities that rely on a lakeshore location.

2.4 These water resources are also vitally important for wildlife. Many water bodies are designated as sites of special scientific interest or special areas of conservation and all contribute to its spectacular wildlife. Water related access and recreation can have an impact on the water resources they use, and careful management is required to ensure use does not impact on them.

3 RESEARCH

3.1 In 2008/2009 Faber Maunsell on behalf of the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) undertook research with the public, organisations and land managers with an interest in water-related access and recreation to find out more about current use, and needs and preferences of users (Faber Maunsell, 2009)[3]. This work has informed the development of the Vision and Aims of the Access to Lakes Rivers and Coast Strategy and associated Action Plan. A summary of the research findings is in Annex 2

4. THE LAKE DISTRICT

4.1 The Lake District is internationally recognised as providing excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, with its natural environment of lakes, tarns and rivers flowing out to sea, host to many water based activities. Taking a cruise on Lake Windermere is one of the top visitor attractions in the UK, and high numbers of visitors also take trips on Ullswater, Derwentwater and Coniston. There are numerous water-based activity centres including marinas and outdoor activity centres which cater for visitors and locals. Box 3 details the main water sports hire providers in the Lake District area.

4.2 In addition, many individuals either independently or as part of a club utilise water for activities. Particular sports have been recognised as having potential to expand including angling and canoeing which, needing less equipment and facilities than many other activities could be more accessible, particularly for novices and samplers. Outdoor swimming has also seen a big increase in interest and participation in the Lake District, as a result of greater publicity and the Great North Swim in Windermere, and there is potential for this to increase in the future.

4.3 The draft Lake District National Park Local Development Framework Core Strategy identifies 5 distinctive areas in the National Park. These have been used to describe water related activities and current use within the National Park (see Annex 2).

5. THE VISION

5.1 To enhance the accessibility and opportunities by which local people and visitors can enjoy the lakes and tarns, rivers and the coast line of the Lake District. This will be achieved whilst protecting and, where possible enhancing, the sustainability of the water environment.

5.2 We will work in partnership with the wide variety of clubs, organisations and other agencies to achieve this by 2020. We will monitor actions towards this vision annually with a full review in 2015.

6. THE AIMS

6.1 Aim 1: Enhance accessibility to the lakes, rivers and the coast.

Measure 1.1 Extend, improve and protect access on, to, and alongside lakes, rivers and the coast.

Measure 1.2 Address needs and preferences of user-groups, where compatible with National Park purposes.

Targets to demonstrate these aims:

·  Improvements in access at two sites relating to water-based access and recreation, and development of two rights of way improvement plan projects in the next two years.

·  An increase in usage of less-able access boats based within the Lake District.

·  Develop and implement the Marine and Coastal Access Act within the Lake District.

6.2 Aim 2: Promote the diverse opportunities available for enjoyment of lakes, rivers and the coast.

Measure 2.1 Provide clear, accessible and up-to-date information and interpretation to

enable informed responsible and safe participation.

Measure 2.2 Widen participation to water based access and recreation through the

promotion of activities and development of beginner/dabbler activities.

Measure 2.3 Continue to support and enhance the diverse range of water based

access and recreation which take place within the Lake District National Park.

Targets to demonstrate these aims:

·  Increase in people downloading canoe trail information from canoe hire sites/tourist information centres.

·  Monitoring of ‘Have a Go’ sessions to assess participation and possible extension of activities.

·  Sustained increases in the number of hits to relevant websites/pages.

6.3 Aim 3: Develop greater awareness of the water environment, and the role users can play in protecting and enhancing it.

Measure 3.1 Increase awareness of threats to the water environment by users.

Measure 3.2 Work with users to reduce any negative impact users have on the water

environment and support actions which produce positive benefits.

Targets to demonstrate these aims:

·  All marinas and hire centres to receive posters and leaflet drops about invasive species.

·  Ongoing provision of advice, guidance and liaison with large scale water-related event organisers regarding environmental impacts including monitoring (for example Bluebird Project).

Annex 1: PROPOSED ACTION PLAN

This annual action plan outlines work that will be undertaken to deliver projects to enhance access to lakes, rivers and the coast up to March 2010, and then in a separate table outlines future aspirational projects to be developed by the National Park alongside our other partner organisations from April 2010 – 2013.

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Lake District National Park Authority

Access to Lakes Rivers and the Coast: Annex 1 Proposed Action Plan

Aim 1: Enhance accessibility to the lakes, rivers and the coast

Angling

Projects: April 2010+

Aim 1 Enhance accessibility to the lakes, rivers and the coast

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