Keswick parking fines top 25,000 across Cumberland in one year

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:02 · Archive

Cumberland Council issued more than 25,000 parking fines worth nearly £800,000 in the 2025-26 financial year, with Keswick accounting for most violations.

Cumberland Council issued 25,824 penalty charge notices across the Cumberland area during the 2025-26 financial year, generating nearly £800,000 in income from parking contraventions. The enforcement update was presented to the council's Highways and Transport Strategic Board on 22 October.

The C2057 road between Portinscale and Grange near Keswick received the most fines with 1,081 penalty charge notices. The four other top locations were also in the Keswick area: Lakeside Car Park with 710 fines, Station Road with 626, Central Car Park with 491, and Bell Close Car Park with 473. Double yellow lines were introduced on the C2057 near Catbells, a popular walking destination, in 2022 because parked cars were obstructing access for emergency service vehicles.

Parking has long been problematic on the C2057 because of its proximity to Catbells. Naomi Clague, a resident of Portinscale, said that while fines act as a deterrent for most people, some visitors are prepared to 'take their chances' rather than pay for parking further away. Councillor Anne Quilter noted that eight of the top 20 locations for fines across the entire council area were in Keswick and suggested a special campaign to target tourists might help reduce tickets.

The council's parking manager told Councillor Quilter that creating such a campaign would be difficult because the violators were tourists visiting the Lake District, but said the council would 'certainly look at different ways' to address the issue. Councillor Graham Minshaw observed that an early payment charge of £35 was the same as parking costs in Manchester. The parking manager noted that the effective cost could be reduced if passengers in a vehicle shared the fine.

How it is being reported

• Cumberland Council issues more than 25,000 parking fines worth nearly £800,000Keswick remains a parking fine hotspot in the Cumberland Council area, with more than 1000 issued in just one location, according to a new report.News & Star · 24 Oct, 05:00
• Cumberland Council issues more than 25,000 parking fines worth nearly £800,000Keswick remains a parking fine hotspot in the Cumberland Council area, with more than 1000 issued in just one location, according to a new report.Whitehaven News · 24 Oct, 05:00
• Visitors willing to 'take their chances' with parking finesA road near Keswick had the highest number of fines given out in the Cumberland area last year.BBC Cumbria · 22 Oct, 16:05

In this story: Cumberland Council · Keswick · Catbells · Portinscale · Lake District · Naomi Clague

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