SAY NO TO AN UNNECCESSARY LAW ON LOCH LOMOND

Loch Lomond is Britain’s largest inland waterway and is at the heart of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, which encompasses around 1,865 sq km (720 sq miles) of world-renowned scenery and recreational areas.

There are twenty lochs (or lakes) in the park, but Loch Lomond is one of only two on which motorised recreational activities, such as power-boating and waterskiing, take place.  In 1996 byelaws came into force governing activity on and around Loch Lomond and a maximum speed limit of  90 kph (56 mph) was established.  In addition a speed limit of 11 kph (7mph) was established within 150 m (164 yds) of most shorelines and certain confined areas in order to:

• Reduce noise on the surrounding shores
• Protect wildlife on the surrounding shores
• Improve conditions for fishing
• Improve safety, in particular for swimmers

 The existing byelaws are currently under review and proposed amendments include extending the 11 kph (7mph) speed limit right across the middle third of the loch, and encompassing an enormous area of open water.

This new legislation is UNNECCESSARY and UNWARRANTED.  Boat numbers have fallen by 66% in the last five years, there have been no accidents attributed to speed, rare species are thriving and visitors cite existing levels of peace and tranquillity as a source of pleasure on and around the loch.

Please support FAIRPLAY LOCH LOMOND, a group of concerned residents, loch users and business owners who oppose this new legislation on the grounds that it will:

• Effectively outlaw the recreational activities enjoyed by generations of loch users
• Severely restrict the water-borne movements of local residents and visitors
• Have a devastating impact on local businesses in an area already blighted by high unemployment

 Please sign our petition telling the Scottish Executive to reject this proposal and help to protect the future of recreation on Loch Lomond.

Dear Mr. McConnell and other MSPs,

NO MORE SPEED RESTRICTIONS ON LOCH LOMOND

I understand that the Loch Lomond byelaws are currently under review and that the National Park Authority has proposed an amendment introducing significant additional areas subject to an 11 kph (7 mph) speed restriction.

Whilst I understand and sympathise with the desire to conserve the environment on and around Loch Lomond, I feel that the existing speed limited areas are perfectly adequate for this and do not accept that there is sufficient justification for imposing any additional speed restrictions.

On the contrary, I believe that this particular piece of legislation would:

• Effectively outlaw the recreational activities enjoyed by generations of loch users
• Severely restrict the water-borne movements of local residents and visitors
• Have a devastating impact on local businesses in an area already blighted by high unemployment

This new legislation is both unneccessary and unwarranted.  Boat numbers have fallen by 66% in the last five years, there have been no accidents attributed to speed, rare species are thriving and visitors cite existing levels of peace and tranquillity as a source of pleasure on and around the loch.

I would therefore ask you to reject this proposal and in doing so respect the wishes of “Fairplay Loch Lomond”, a group comprising many people who live right on the shores of the loch, who use if for well earned recreation or who earn their livelihoods there.

Your sincerely,

[Your Name]