SPEEDBOATS and jet-skis could effectively be banned over one third of Loch Lomond under proposals to extend a 7mph speed limit.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority yesterday unveiled plans to extend the slow limit across the central area of the loch. The proposal will be considered on 4 July, when the authority looks to amend by-laws which have been in place
since 1996.
The changes follow a lengthy review in which nearly 1,000 people completed a questionnaire and more than 30 meetings were held with specific interest and user groups.
The national park authority yesterday said the changes would help protect the loch's islands and sensitive areas, along with major shallow areas which are important for vegetation and breeding fish.
In the place of jet-skis and motorboats, quiet recreation such as windsurfing would be encouraged, the authority said in a statement. "Speed restriction is a practical method for protecting sensitive areas, separating recreation activity and reducing the impact on loch shore users," it said.
The speed limit would be enforced by the park's existing ranger service, with £500 penalties for speeding.
National Park spokeswoman Ruth Crosbie said feedback from visitors and locals suggested loud motor crafts, particularly jet-skis, had scared off canoeists, windsurfers and picnickers.
"We talked to over 1000 visitors and a lot of people said the loch was noisy and a lot said there were too many jet-skis on the loch.
"We're not in the business of banning people and we hope bringing the speed down opens up the loch to everybody, including canoeists and windsurfers and people on a picnic."
But the proposal has been greeted with scepticism by local businessmen and residents.
Some have expressed concerns that the byelaw changes are being pushed through under pressure to prove the national park experiment a success. Bill Porter, a 60-year loch-side resident who manages Loch Lomond Boat Sales, claimed rumours and misinformation had been rife.
"There's a lot of speculation out there and I don't think they've made it clear yet what it is they are after.
"The main problem around here is jet-skis, so to have an extended speed limit in the centre of the loch, that's fair comment.
"But I want to know the people making this decision. Who are they? Do they live here? Do they live in Scotland? Why are they faceless? They need to introduce themselves to the country," he said.
Among the other proposed changes is to make wearing of life-jackets compulsory. The park authority also wants to increase the age for driving motor crafts from 14 to 16 years old.
Further consultation will take place from 8 August to 28 October. Final proposals are expected to be submitted to the First Minister for approval in December.
Similar speed restrictions on Windermere in the Lake District raised fears about an increase in speedboats and jet-skis on Loch Lomond.
The full article contains 517 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
