THE Windermere Ferry was at risk of being lost for good this year, a meeting has heard.

James Airey, leader of the Conservative opposition on Cumbria County Council, suggested that it was only pressure from local Tory county councillors which saved it from being removed.

But Cllr Sue Sanderson, a member of the county council’s ruling Labour and Liberal Democrat cabinet, strongly denied it was ever on the agenda to  permanently withdraw the service after this summer’s ferry fire.

The county council operates the cross-lake service which relaunched last month after being out of action for five months following a fire in May.

The topic was discussed at a meeting in Kendal on Monday of South Lakeland Local Committee which considered a report about the service.

Cllr Airey (Con, Ulv West) told the meeting: “I saw a paper produced for the county council’s cabinet which was suggesting that the ferry was possibly removed. There was a real question mark over whether it was going to disappear altogether and I saw the paperwork.

“The credit needs to fall locally with local councillors Ben Berry and Matt Brereton for saving this service.”

But his remarks earned a rebuke from Sue Sanderson, who said he was “trying to fly kites”.

Cllr Sanderson (Lib Dem, Cartmel) said: “I can confirm there has been no discussion about talking of getting rid of the ferry – that’s never been discussed at cabinet either formally or informally."

Committee member Geoff Cook (Lib Dem, Kendal Highgate) said councillors across all political parties had worked to get the ferry reinstated.

Cllr Ben Berry (Con, Windermere) said the council’s cabinet should have been given a copy of the report and called for the council to guarantee the relaunch of the Windermere Ferry Advisory Committee.

Stephen Hall, the council’s assistant director of highways, transport and fleet,  said: “My personal view is that cabinet takes the issue of the ferry very seriously.

“I wouldn’t want any local councillor to feel that this hasn’t been an issue for cabinet members.”

Councillor Airey maintained that a council director had informed him that getting rid of the ferry permanently had been an option.