Tuesday 2 August 2022 12:21 PM Lake District holidaymakers are stopped from parking vehicles on some roads in ... trends now

Tuesday 2 August 2022 12:21 PM Lake District holidaymakers are stopped from parking vehicles on some roads in ... trends now
Tuesday 2 August 2022 12:21 PM Lake District holidaymakers are stopped from parking vehicles on some roads in ... trends now

Tuesday 2 August 2022 12:21 PM Lake District holidaymakers are stopped from parking vehicles on some roads in ... trends now

Drivers in the Lake District will no longer be able to stop, park or unload their car on certain roads from today as the council cracks down with new anti-congestion measures.

For years, councillors, police, fire and ambulance chiefs have bemoaned the large volume of visitors to the National Park who illegally or poorly park on narrow roads, blocking emergency access and creating tailbacks and bottlenecks.

With the surge in staycations since the start of the pandemic, the problem has snowballed over the past two years.

Now, Cumbria City Council has introduced temporary restrictions in the heart of the Lake District to combat “severe congestion and inconsiderate parking”.

Drivers in the Lake District will now be banned from parking or unloading their cars on certain roads

Drivers in the Lake District will now be banned from parking or unloading their cars on certain roads

Vehicles are now banned from waiting along Dungeon Ghyll at the head of Great Langdale, one of the area’s most popular valleys.

Also affected is a short section of road at Elterwater Common and a stretch of the A591 south of Waterhead, near Ambleside.

The order bans any vehicle from waiting at any time, on any day and to load or unload at any time, including blue badge holders.

Council enforcement officers will patrol the area and any drivers who do not abide by the new measures will face a fixed penalty amounting to £30 if paid within seven days.

Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member of highways and transport, said: “Since the pandemic, when people have looked to go on holiday much more within the UK, there has been a huge influx of tourists wanting to come to the area.

Cumbria City Council has introduced the new restrictions in a bid to curb congestion

Cumbria City Council has introduced the new restrictions in a bid to curb congestion

“We have had situations in the past where firefighters have had to make their way to a grassfire scene on foot as their engine could not make it down.

“But our infrastructure was not designed to deal with that number of people.

“Our car parks quickly become full and so people look to park up on the side of the road.

“Others will do the same but on the other side of the road, which then makes them virtually impassable.”

That said, he acknowledged the move has prompted “consternation” among some motorists and said the council and local MP had received a number of complaints since the plan was announced.

However, he insisted the measures are essential to make sure emergency services had access when needed.

Locations affected include Dungeon Ghyll at the head of Great Langdale, one of the area’s most popular valleys, as well as a short section of road at Elterwater Common and a stretch of the A591 south of Waterhead, near Ambleside

Locations affected include Dungeon Ghyll

read more from dailymail.....

PREV George Gilbey's mother 'had a little cry' after messages of support following ... trends now
NEXT In news vacuum, rumours and concern swirl over Catherine mogaznewsen