Lake District fell routes risk erosion due to staycation boom

Fix the Fells has carried out £10million worth of work to repair paths and erosion scars in the Cumbrian national park since it was set up 20 years ago.

Those involved in the organisation said its work was needed now more than ever after visitors had flocked to the region for holidays during the pandemic.

Fix the Fells programme manager Joanne Backshall said: "The pandemic has led to people really appreciating the outdoors and the benefits that can bring.

"That's brought more people here and more people into the outdoors and that's all great, we're not about stopping that, we're just about managing the impact that it has on the landscape.

"It really has increased over the last 18 months, we have really seen an increase in people enjoying the Lake District, but increasing the erosion that that is causing and that increases the work and the money that is needed to maintain these paths."

An example of the work which Fix our Fells have been carrying out. Credit: Fix the Fells/PA Wire

Ranger Pete Entwistle said: "We have seen a huge increase in footfall on some of the more popular paths.

"It's a good thing because people get to see what they have in this country, they see what needs protecting and they see the work we do.

"But, certainly, if this was to continue with the numbers of visitors we're getting now I can see us having an awful lot more work in the future."

Climate change is also negatively affecting the Lake District, Ms Backshall said.

She said: "Climate change is having an impact by the increase in severe weather events and the heavy rainfall that occurs in the Lake District.

"It was always wet anyway but it is now even more so, so what we are seeing is when we have a really heavy storm event that leads to a significant increase in the amount of water that goes down the paths and damages them."

How the work that Fix the Fells are doing is having an impact. Credit: Fix the Fells/PA Wire

Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: "Due to our changing climate and more erosion through intense rainfall, this vital maintenance work is needed on our high fells more than ever.

"We know how important the Lake District has been over the course of the pandemic as we have welcomed many new visitors over the past year.

"As more people come to enjoy all the health and wellbeing benefits the Lake District has to offer, we're very grateful to our colleagues at Fix the Fells and the amazing team of volunteers for all that they do."

For more information on Fix the Fells and to volunteer or to make a donation to help with its work, visit www.fixthefells.co.uk.