WIG is a weird aerodynamic that allows planes to almost float or glide when they are a few metres above ground.
A company named ST Engineering AirX makes AirFish, which is actually closer to a ferry than a plane. At the moment they have a model capable of carrying about ten people, pretty much perfect for a quick trip from Millom to Barrow. It can take off and land in water, powered by something like a car engine. And it does not disturb the environment so no need to worry about that pesky SSSI.
A year gone since I wrote the above and nothing has happened yet I am getting more excited about this. If a single track tram line was created using the shallow slab method (see Coventry) an autonomous tram could run from say Coniston on the old rail line, which is still in existence as disconnected footpaths and the occasional bridge.
The main problem would not be the cost (relatively modest) but the fact that much of the line would be in the national park.
The trams would run to somewhere like Foxfield and then connect to these cheap flying machines to cross the Duddon. Because they would be autonomous they could run 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Jonathan Brind