Windermere Ferry Advisory Committee

The car and passenger ferry The Mallard across Windermere lake forms part of the highway network and is now run by Westmorland and Furness Council. The Ferry has it's own Facebook page where information about running times and closures can be found.

Historically, the advisory group was run and chaired by Cumbria County Council (CCC), and met annually to discuss operational successes and any problems through the year, also any changes or repairs needed in the future following the receipt of a report on condition of structure and engineering aspects.

Financial reports were also received and amount of ‘profit’ available to be added to CCC’s annual budget advised. Fares for the next year were recommended to go to the CCC Highways Committee, which may or may not be accepted as it has the last word over all the recommendations as the ferry is regarded as a piece of moveable road.

Claife and Lakes Parishes and South Lakeland District Council were also represented with voting rights and were able to contribute information and any concerns over the running of the ferry from the local experience and perspective, but the word advisory is paramount.   There is no contingency fund as in the past when any excess income was ring fenced towards the provision of a new ferry; however, when the current one reaches the end of its life CCC has given a written undertaking that finance will be found for the provision of a new vessel.

The ferry is now the responsibility of Westmorland & Furness Council who took over Highways on 1st April 2023 and the group is not currently meeting.