Double yellow lines will be introduced on two Lake District roads in a bid to stop bad parking.
The double yellow lines will be created on the U2219 Portinscale and the C2057 Keswick (Portinscale to Grange) routes from today, May 23 and be in place for 21 days,
This will be extended to 18 months if the measure demonstrates a reduction in traffic issues and congestion.
Vehicles parking on sections of the road and roadside verges have created a number of problems in recent years, with bus services being cancelled and emergency service vehicles not being able to get through due to parked cars obstructing the carriageway.
The order will prohibit any vehicle to wait at any time, on any day and to load/unload at any time, on any day (including blue badge holders).
Cumbria County Council is working alongside local partners, including the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria police, Stagecoach and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service to promote alternative transport options, such as bus services and park and ride schemes.
The order will be monitored closely throughout to understand the effectiveness of the measures.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “There have been a number of issues on this busy route in recent years, and our first priority must be public safety and ensuring our road network is safe, reliable and accessible for local people and for tourists visiting this beautiful area.
“Working with local partners, it is vital that we are able to identify solutions that ensure the accessibility of bus services and emergency vehicles, as well as promoting sustainable travel by prohibiting vehicles from parking on roadsides and causing mayhem for other road users.
“I am grateful to the local community and local partners such as Stagecoach and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service for their support, and I am hopeful that these measures will result in a much improved travel experience, whilst ensuring access for emergency vehicles and so that important bus services are able to run on time, and without obstruction.”
Emma Moody, lead strategy adviser, recreation and sustainable transport at the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Cumbria County Council to help ease the long-standing parking issues in the Cat Bells and Portinscale area.
“This is particularly important to ensure that buses and emergency vehicles are able to access the area. We are promoting a range of options for visitors accessing the area more sustainably, including using the Park and Sail initiative, cycling or walking and using the bus.
“At peak times this summer, there will be additional bus services to Cat Bells, supported by the Tactical Visitor Management Group.”
Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire, said: “We are delighted to work with Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park Authority to improve traffic flow and access in the Cat Bells and Portinscale area.
“This will allow our 77/77A services to run without unnecessary delay, making travelling by bus around the area and across the whole Lake District National Park a greener and more relaxing way to get around.”
Craig Drinkald, area manager of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are asking people to ensure they park in a safe and considerate way that allows access for fire appliances and other emergency vehicles.
“Inconsiderate parking can cause unnecessary delays, and lost minutes really can mean the difference between life and death when we are responding to a serious incident. I am hopeful that these measures will help us to reach incidents more quickly by not being unnecessarily delayed.”
