Solutions for traffic and transport
We are keen to find solutions to traffic and transport problems. But we have few powers to enable us to take action. We therefore work closely with local councils and businesses to find creative and attractive solutions.
Vision for the Lake District National Park
The starting point for solutions is the vision for the future of the National Park, developed with our partners in 2007, for:
- A prosperous economy
- World class visitor experiences
- Vibrant communities
- Spectacular landscape
For full details of the vision and our partners, please read our Vision for the National Park in 2030 page.
Aims for the future
The overall policy for the Lake District National Park is to:
“Ensure that public transport integration and services are improved and the proportion of travel to and within the National Park by public transport, walking and cycling is increased”
Our overall approach is to develop new ways of getting around that:
- add to the quality of life for residents
- make travel an attractive part of a visitor’s stay
- reduce impact on the environment
The one thing we cannot do is to increase road capacity. Widening roads and creating new car parks are not appropriate solutions in a protected landscape.
Local Development Framework
We are currently reviewing all our planning policies which will come together in the new Local Development Framework (LDF). The policies are still being consulted on but among the options likely to be included are
- Developing local park and ride schemes
- Allowing additional parking only in exceptional circumstances
- Tailoring traffic to the character of the road
- Possibly restricting access to some roads
Find out more in our Local Development Framework section.
A Sustainable Transport Framework
In 2008 we commissioned consultants to produce a sustainable transport framework for the Lake District. They examined the current challenges, opportunities and constraints and examined good practice elsewhere. They then proposed a framework around which a future transport strategy can be built and made some suggestions to be considered for the strategy.
Potential solutions
A wide range of potential solutions have been suggested by partner organisations, businesses and the public such as:
- Develop transport hubs to allow efficient interchange between parking, buses, boats, cycling and walking.
- Improve traffic management.
- Cycling and horse-riding networks that connect to the transport hubs.
- Improve public transport including better integration of timetables and integrated tickets like London's Oyster card.
- Develop networks of low carbon vehicles including cars, vans and buses.
Useful links
- Cumbria Tourism Strategy (opens in new window)
- Local Development Framework
- Rights of Way Improvement Plan
- Tourism Development - Northwest Regional Development Agency (opens in new window)