SIR, Like Norman Park of the Keep Windermere Alive Association, I am delighted that the Audit Commission has revealed what we have all been saying for years - the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) does not effectively engage with local residents and businesses and is, therefore, perceived to either have a negative or limited influence on the community (Gazette, February 7, Audit report says park authority is out of touch').

Mike Bentley, the chairman of LDNPA, has refused to accept the report's conclusions which sadly no doubt will mean more of the same.

More worryingly, like so many of the county's leaders, he is calling for a meeting rather than taking action. I am sure that Norman Park and other 10mph speed limit campaigners will agree that the captain of a sinking ship does not call a meeting - he issues orders. If Mr Bentley wants to call a meeting may I suggest he invites the public and local businesses to discuss the economic future of the Lake District. The Lake District has in recent years lost too many ships - Provincial, K Shoes and Scottish Provident to name but a few.

Stuart Jones

Kendal

SIR, Lake District National Park Authority decisions will always be controversial as there are two sides to every question. However, our natural beauty and tranquillity are the real reasons people come here to visit or to live. Every seaside town can provide its funfair, its golden mile, its beer and bingo. I am not knocking it many people enjoy it. Cities are excruciatingly loud and noisy.

This area can offer something that is nearly impossible to find in other places. Not dead quiet but a being at peace' with yourself. It is priceless and if we can manage to preserve it, it will bring with it visitors with taste and mostly long pockets'.

Why are the hotels around the lake putting in planning applications for en-suite bedroom accommodation? It is because more people will visit after the 10mph decision on the lake is implemented in 2005.

In the last century Leigh Groves provided most of the purchase money for Windermere Urban District Council to buy the bed of the lake from Lowther Estates. This was to support the people of Windermere so that they wouldn't need to spoil the lake with too many commercial craft.

There is a suggestion to have many more hire boats, but without the hirer having the requisite knowledge of navigational skills, it is a recipe for disaster.

Without the Lake District National Park Authority we would have lost our precious heritage to the forces of commercialism. A vast amount of wealth is created here, but it doesn't benefit the area.

The LDNPA has tried to support local, small industry, such as Staveley Mill Yard and the works at Backbarrow. Without the LDNPA and its rules, our beautiful area would be ruined.

Once the natural beauty has been spoiled, there will be no visitors. Long live the LDNPA.

Jennifer Jewell

Windermere

SIR, At last, the National Park Authority is under the knife! People have been saying this for years. Ironically, the main problem has been its lack of knowledge and understanding of residents but now, finally, it might start to listen. However, unless it agrees to major changes in its attitude this report will go the way of everything else, banished to the NPA's no action' file.

I find Mr Bentley's disappointment about the report quite insulting. Does he and the other quango' members consider themselves above the Government's Audit Commission? The NPA should take the report and digest it, and talk to the people who live and work in the park.

Carl Love

Bowness-on-Windermere

SIR, Browsing through the letters and opinions in the Gazette (January 31) I note the complaints by two of your correspondents regarding the activities of the National Park Authority.

Once again it seems that these criticisms arise from the somewhat selfish opinions of an irritating minority who seem to wish to be able to use the national park in whatever way suits them without regard to the wishes of the vast majority.

I also read that Cumbria Bridleways Society has issued legal proceedings against the park for its failure to carry out maintenance at Rossett Gill.

This is indeed a deplorable state of affairs. Could it be that the park authority has been stretched to its limits dealing with the agitations from the 4x4 recreational drivers, mountain bikers etc? I see that these activities are apparently already under the microscope'. Not before time!

I strongly suspect that the authority has its work cut out simply dealing with normal custom and usage of paths, tracks and bridleways, without the added problems associated with people attempting to emulate television advertising images of seeing the great outdoors closeted in their macho turbo-powered vehicles.

I congratulate the park authority in its efforts to maintain the true spirit of the Lake District and commiserate with it in endeavouring to try to accommodate all tastes, however bizarre they may be.

R.M. Mott

Nottingham

SIR, The Audit Commission reports that the Lake District National Park Authority has no understanding of the needs of local people or local businesses within the Lake District.

This has been clear over the past 12 years with its fight for the 10mph speed limit on the lake.

When the speed limit was first proposed back in the early 90s, the few local members of the authority were generally against it, whereas the majority who backed it came from outside the Lake District (towns like Kendal and Barrow), and it was their ill-founded views that won the day.

I'm sure that this is not the only example of the Audit Commission's findings and, typically, the LDNPA refused to comment on the report.

John Barker

Bowness-on-Windermere

February 14, 2003 11:30