When Gareth McKeevor relocated his skincare business to Far Sawrey from Staveley some questioned the wisdom of the move.
Main road access to Staveley, between Kendal and Windermere is good; to reach the main A road network from the western side of Windermere the choice is B roads, one of which is linked by the Windermere ferry.
“Some of our staff use the ferry to get here but it’s also how we despatch our products too,” Gareth, who runs Pure Lakes, said.
Mallard is managed by Westmorland and Furness Council and links Ferry Nab at Bowness to Far Sawrey.
The alternative is a major diversion around Windermere.
From January 27, for up to three weeks the company will have to make alternative arrangements as the service will be suspended for the third time in less than a year.
In November the ferry, which is guided across Windermere on cables, lost a drive wheel which meant it could not run for three weeks.
In April the ferry was suspended for six weeks while it underwent major work as part of a five-yearly refit costing £457,922.
It was during this period that the need for a new engine, gearbox and seals was identified which will be fitted during the latest overhaul.
For some who depend on the ferry, this latest disruption is hard to fathom.
“People are becoming extremely frustrated with the spin coming from the council on how they are improving and maintaining the service,” Far Sawrey resident and naval architect Nick Heather said.
“For example the council claim improvements to ramp and wire increasing availability. Wind and water level limits have historically been 20mph and 1.3m at the Ferry House gauge, ramp and wires has not manifested in any increase.
Council operating information and observation show a reduction in crossings. The slack wires make it harder for the captains to berth when winds get above 15mph is a nightmare for the crew who have to deliver the service.”
For regular ferry user Steve Hoyle the lack of reliable information about the service is the issue that causes concern.
“The digital signs aren’t always accurate; I’ve driven to the ferry after seeing it’s working only to find out it isn’t – and vice versa,” Steve says. “I pick up my grand-daughter from school in Bowness but have to factor in a last minute drive around Windermere if the ferry is off. There’s always a risk of missing appointments.”
A Facebook group of ferry users reacted with exasperation when news of the latest suspension was announced earlier this month:
“You are having a TOTAL and UTTER laugh! So…shall I now have to apply for yet another extension to my yearly contract ?!?!?! TBH despite the 1 month extension given to my paid for 2024 annual contract for many weeks of the ferry not working during 2024 (realistically I should have been gifted more than 1 month but something is better than nothing ) my extension doesn’t end until the 31st Jan’25…so will I now be able to get an extension on my extension?!?! I feel so let down as a local resident…it never seems to end…”
When Business Crack was told about the latest planned maintenance work at the beginning of January we did approach Westmorland and Furness Council and offer the authority an opportunity to answer the questions raised by those who rely on the ferry.
Among them were:
- How is the ferry’s reliability measured?
- Will a proposed electrically powered ferry be installed?
- Why was the ferry advisory group disbanded?
Three weeks after making the offer and with the service about to be suspended again, no interviews with officers or councillors could be confirmed.
We were however told that the budget for running the ferry in 2023/24 was £617,000 and in the current financial year is £635,000.
Income from the ferry for 2023/24 was £608,000. Figures provided for the current financial year (April-November were provided and include the six week major inspection in the spring and three weeks when the drive wheel failed) show income at £447,000.
The council claims that in 2024 Mallard’s reliability stood at 89%, if the planned six week inspection and refit work is excluded.
The authority also says 13% of downtime was due to high winds and the drive wheel issue in November. It argues modifications to the ferry’s ramps and the installation of longer chains has helped reduce disruption when Windermere water levels are high.
Westmorland and Furness Council has committed to ensure that the council is carbon net zero ‘as soon as possible’ and that the area it serves is carbon net zero by 2037.
The possibility of the installation of an electrically powered ferry to help achieve this is however uncertain. £600,000 was spent on the procurement and design of an electric ferry in 2021 by the former Cumbria County Council.
As for why a ferry advisory group was disbanded, Westmorland and Furness Council said the council attends regular meetings with community and business representatives adding that a new daily service update and Facebook page has also been set up.
“The issue with the engine has been known for some time before the refit and the feasibility study scope was to assess a life extension of Mallard as well as new option which should have been flagged,” Nick Heather says. ”Why has this stalled with over £750,000 being spent for the next five years’ operation and, looking to the future, where has the feasibility study put the long-term business plan for the lake crossing?
“Where is the stakeholder engagement? Is it the intention for the council to run at a loss until funding dries up? This is an essential community service that supports people and business on the west side of the lake and if it is forced into closure it will be a disaster.”
In a general press release Westmorland and Furness Council said that a 16-week lead time for these custom parts meant the replacements could not be completed within the five-week refit period earlier this year.
Also in the release the council’s cabinet member for highways Councillor Peter Thornton is quoted: “Maintaining the reliability and safety of Windermere Ferry is a key priority for the council.
“This final work will put the finishing touches on our significant investment aimed at delivering an efficient and dependable service across Lake Windermere for both residents and visitors.
“By scheduling these essential upgrades during the low season and outside school holidays, we are working to minimise disruption for our users.
“We appreciate your patience during this period and encourage everyone to sign up for our ferry user updates where we will share our progress.”
For business people like Gareth McKeevor more active communication would be welcomed. Unaware the advisory group no longer met he says he only heard about the latest disruption on the grapevine.
“One of the reasons we moved the business to Far Sawrey was to provide badly needed well paid jobs in this area,” Gareth said. “I have empathy for the council but they do need to listen to the community.
“We all need to work together and I think a reinstatement of the advisory group would be a good step forward.”
