Beauty spot 'forever fighting battle' with visitors

A Lake District valley is "forever fighting a battle" with visitors camping and parking illegally, residents warn.

"Rows of tents with people drinking and behaving badly" have become a common sight along the shores of England's deepest lake, Wastwater, while narrow roads are difficult to pass with vehicles left nose to tail, they say.

Double yellow lines have been introduced in some areas on a trial basis but a number of drivers are content to be fined, according to Lucy McKinley-Wilson, of the Wasdale Action Group.

The Lake District National Park Authority said it recognised there were "pressures in this area" and was working with the community organisation and other bodies to tackle them.

"There's definite frustration and immense sadness about what's happening," McKinley-Wilson said.

"It's a minority of visitors, but that small minority spoil it for everyone else.

"Under siege is a really good way to put it because you're forever fighting a battle.

"Fly-camping is a very obvious thing. There are rows of tents with people drinking and behaving badly along the lake shore, lighting fires and having barbecues.

"Years ago, you wouldn't have seen anyone camping there. Now people's attitude is, 'I've seen it on social media so I can do it too'."

The area's limited number of parking spaces "can fill up quickly on sunny days" with other motorists then using roads and lanes.

That, McKinley-Wilson fears, could lead to emergency services being obstructed.

"In the last couple of weeks, we've had double yellow lines put down at Wasdale Head and down the lakeside towards Nether Wasdale, but some people are still parking there.

"On social media, people say, 'Park here - you might get a fine, but it's still the cheapest place'."

An action plan drawn up with groups including the park authority and Cumberland Council has also seen dozens of boulders put in place to block vehicular access to areas that form part of a nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest.

However, even that has not proven a complete deterrent with some of the rocks having been moved, according to McKinley-Wilson.

Emma Moody, lead strategy adviser for recreation and sustainable development at the park authority, said the organisation was working with the Wasdale Action Group in a "community-led approach to understand the picture on the ground and to work together to find effective solutions".

"Together we are looking at the whole issue to address issues like traffic, parking, litter and fly-camping, and we are pleased with the progress already made, although we know there is more to be done," she said.

That work, she explained, has led to the running of the Wasdale Explorer shuttle bus service, which operates from Ravenglass to Wasdale Head on weekends and bank holidays with tickets costing £3 for adults and children travelling free.

McKinley-Wilson said she would also like to see Cumberland Council amend Public Space Protection Orders to strengthen the punishments local authority officers and police are able to issue to offenders.

The council said a blocked road "could mean delayed emergency help or disrupted vital farm work", adding: "Just a few weeks ago, a bus [in the Lake District] had to turn back because it couldn't squeeze past badly parked cars."

It is asking people to plan ahead to check the location of official car parks and to "leave no trace" by taking litter and camping equipment home.

Longer-term measures may require regulations to limit the number of vehicles entering the valley, McKinley-Wilson believes, with automatic number plate recognition technology used to charge visitors who travel within restricted zones.

"It's not about stopping people coming to Wasdale, it's about finding ways we can all use the valley respectfully," she said.

"It's an extraordinary landscape. If we allow people to run riot over it then it will be ruined for future generations."

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