Warning over Bank Holiday parking chaos

Westmorland and Furness Council has already issued several parking tickets in Elterwater

The fire service has urged visitors to the Lake District to park responsibly over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said parked cars should not block their vehicles from getting down roads.

The plea came as Westmorland and Furness Council said it had ticketed illegally parked cars at Elterwater on Saturday.

Borrowdale hotelier Gary Macrae said: "It is a nightmare at times - at pinch point it is really, really bad."

He added last year buses had to be suspended at one point, as they could not pass safely, and tourists were left "high and dry at bus stops, unable to get home".

'Be considerate'

Andrew Lowes, who is in charge of community safety at CFRS, called for motorists to use car parks instead of verges at busy times.

He said people should be "considerate to others and think about the impact of blocking roads and parking irresponsibly".

He added: "I think a lot of that money does come back into improving the lovely areas that we want to be in and the access to those lovely areas."

'Disneyfied'

Mr Macrae, who runs Hazel Bank Country House, said the issue stemmed from people flocking to hidden gems in the Lakes.

"[Tourists] want to get there as quick as they can, get a photograph of it, spend a little time there and then that's it - done.

"But it's attracting more and more people to these little hidden gems, so we've almost Disneyfied certain parts of the district."

Westmorland and Furness Council reminded motorists that parking enforcement officers would be operating during the Bank Holiday.

A spokesman said: "We are asking everyone to please park responsibly and adhere to the restrictions that are in place - they are there for a reason.

"Emergency services, farmers, buses and residents still require access to these areas.

"If gaps are too small vehicles may struggle to navigate through."