Lake District residents report rise in fly-camping and litter

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 12:14 · Archive

Lake District National Park residents are complaining increasingly about fly-camping, littering and anti-social behaviour from visitors.

Lake District National Park residents are speaking out about fly-camping, littering and environmental damage from visitors. A survey by Friends of the Lake District published in September, comprising 1,124 respondents, found that 96 per cent had experienced littering. The organisation said that 84 per cent of respondents had observed some form of illegal or inconsiderate parking.

Visitors have been reported to leave behind discarded nappies, bottles and dog waste bags. Some have hacked down trees and subjected residents to verbal abuse. Volunteer litter-picker Steve Barker from Dearham found that his rounds of Buttermere and Crummock in the summer filled two bin bags with litter.

Although 75 per cent of survey respondents were from Cumbria, the organisation concluded that visitors to the national park are still 'treating the Lake District with contempt'. More robust signage was installed around Crummock and Buttermere late in the summer, warning visitors that the area is subject to a Public Space Protection Order. Under this order, anti-social behaviour, campfires and unauthorised camping can result in fines.

The signage installation followed a community campaign prompted by Barker's highlighting of the issues. Authorities are introducing measures to manage visitor numbers and behaviour, including the Wasdale Explorer shuttle bus, a park and ride service operated by Wasdale Action Group that rotates stops throughout the valley during the day.

How it is being reported

• 'Treat with contempt' - Increase in fly-camping and anti-social behaviour concernsLake District National Park residents are complaining in increasing numbers about anti-social behaviour, litter and fly-camping from visitors.Whitehaven News · 8 Nov, 12:00
• 'Treat with contempt' - Increase in fly-camping and anti-social behaviour concernsLake District National Park residents are complaining in increasing numbers about anti-social behaviour, litter and fly-camping from visitors.Westmorland Gazette · 8 Nov, 12:00
• 'Treat with contempt' - Increase in fly-camping and anti-social behaviour concernsLake District National Park residents are complaining in increasing numbers about anti-social behaviour, litter and fly-camping from visitors.Cumberland News · 8 Nov, 12:00
• 'Treat with contempt' - Increase in fly-camping and anti-social behaviour concernsLake District National Park residents are complaining in increasing numbers about anti-social behaviour, litter and fly-camping from visitors.NW Evening Mail · 8 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Lake District National Park · Friends of the Lake District · Steve Barker · Buttermere · Crummock · Dearham · Wasdale Action Group

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log