A free daily shuttlebus has been launched between Cockermouth and Buttermere.
It is a bid to help get people out of their cars and ease the pressure on Cumbria’s rural road network during the busy school summer holiday period.
Operated by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, the trial service has been funded by Cumbria’s tactical visitor management group to reduce the volume of cars heading to the popular Buttermere Valley.
The 16-seater shuttlebus will do five daily return journeys between Cockermouth, Low Lorton and Buttermere village, with the first bus departing from Main Street in Cockermouth at 9.30am every day until Sunday 5 September.
As well as providing easy access to the scenic round-the-lake-route at Buttermere, the new service connects to Cumbria’s wider bus network, including the hourly X4/5 to Workington and the 77/77A, which runs between Buttermere and Keswick.
The free summer service has been made possible thanks to support from the tactical visitor management group, which includes partners including Cumbria police, local authorities, the Lake District National Park and Cumbria Tourism.
Sustainable transport officer for the Lake District National Park Authority, Emma Moody, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this initiative which will offer low carbon transport to local people and visitors and help look after this beautiful part of the Lake District.
“This is a simple way to reduce your own carbon footprint, reduce traffic and be Lake District Kind this summer.”
nanaging director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, added: “With the high demand for summer staycations this year, the group is taking a wide range of practical measures to collectively address some of the challenges and opportunities this may bring, including the potential upturn in traffic on the county’s most popular tourist routes.
“This new shuttlebus is a fantastic way for visitors to get out of their cars and soak up our world-class scenery in an easy convenient way, and crucially, it gives people the chance to play a part in protecting that landscape while they’re here.”
Rob Jones, managing director for Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “We’re delighted to be involved and operate a shuttle bus service for visitors.
“We are passionate about showcasing the best of the Lakes and understand the important role that buses can play in making sure visitors can enjoy time spent in the area more sustainably, helping to reduce the volume of traffic and indiscriminate parking at our rural hotspots”.
The new Buttermere shuttlebus is also dog-friendly vehicle and has space for one wheelchair.
Full details of the timetable are available at: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/buttermereshuttle
