THE introduction of parking charges at a Lake District beauty spot has caused outrage among locals – who fear it will put people off visiting.

Forestry England has installed a parking meter at the Bowness Knott car park in Ennerdale, which has previously been free to use.

Concerns have been raised that it will lead to vehicles being parked on the narrow country roads instead of the car park, to avoid having to pay.

The charges range from £2 for an hour to £8 for all day parking.

Forestry England say they need to implement charges now to “help continue important work” such as maintaining trails, restoring nature and dealing with anti-social activities including litter and fly camping.

Michael Eldon, who represents Cleator Moor West on Cumberland Council, said: “I can understand why but it’s going to put people off visiting our lovely area when it’s been free up until now.

“Local people are not happy about it. You turn up to a local beauty spot that has always been free and have to pay. Some people will visit, maybe five or six times a week in the summer.

“If the money from the parking is going to be used to improve the area, that’s fine but if it’s not going to benefit Ennerdale then I think it’s wrong.”

Jane Coltman, clerk for Ennerdale Parish council, said the council had not met since the parking charges had been introduced but said that it was “of concern”.

She said: “Has this opened them up to being a cheap, overnight car park for campervans?

“The roads are difficult in that area as it is and if people aren’t going to want to pay for parking, you’re going to find people parking on the verges.”  

Hugh Branney, a former Copeland councillor who lives at Ennerdale, said: “£8 a day for visitors is the same as Whinlatter where for £8 they have toilets, a café, etc. Even then, lots of people don’t pay and would rather walk 200 yards to park beyond the car park.

“What I fear is the same thing may happen here. I gather that people would rather not pay so they will ‘fly park’ on all the narrow roads, making it more difficult for access for emergency vehicles and residents who live here.

“It’s going to impact on people who live here and want to come to our wonderful Enenrdale Lake who aren’t prepared to pay because no one has ever been charged at that car park before.

“I can only think the impact will not be a good one.”

Richard Outhwaite, an Ennerdale resident, said: “It’s been something that’s been talked about by Forestry England for some time.

“It’s a long-standing car park that’s been free to use but like many public car parks, they’ve now introduced charges. It’s unfortunate but it’s the way of the world. It obviously costs money to operate and maintain the land.

“It’s when people turn up knowing it’s been a free car park, how they feel about it. I don’t know what Forestry England have done to think about poor parking, if it happens because of it.”

A spokesperson for Forestry England said: “The Ennerdale Valley is a truly special place, one which as land managers Forestry England take great care to look after.

“We have not charged for parking at Bowness Knott previously but need to implement charges now to help us continue important work such as maintaining trails, restoring nature and funding rangers to engage with local communities and also deal with litter, fly camping and other anti-social activities.

 “An annual membership will soon be available, which, as well as supporting the work of Forestry England, will provide free parking at Bowness Knott. This membership will cost £25 per household per year, with further details and instructions on how to join soon available at forestryengland.uk/membership.

 “We rely on the support of our visitors to help us invest in the forests for the future and we’re keen to thank them all for their continued support.”