Lakes visitors urged to be respectful after 'inconsiderate' parking restricts ambulance access

Cumbria Police have urged visitors to 'respect local communities and the environment' after an ambulance was restricted access due to 'inconsiderate' parking.

A photo released by the Lake District National Park shows vehicles parked at the side of a road, leaving little room for an emergency vehicle to pass through safely.

It is unclear whether the ambulance was responding to a 999 call.

As well as this, police say rangers and wardens cleared up more than 100 refuse bags full of dumped rubbish. Disposable barbecues, bottles, toilet waste and other litter were included in the mess.

People camping in the area in tents, camper vans and motorhomes were another problem the police dealt with over the weekend.

The force say it is still a breach of lockdown regulations to stay overnight, away from your home, and they can fine anyone up to £100 if caught.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Slattery appealed to visitors to behave responsibly and respect the local environment and its inhabitants.

He said: “As the lockdown measures are eased across the country and foreign holidays are not available, many people are choosing to visit the Lakes and Dales but we appeal to all visitors to respect the environment and the local communities.

“Surveys conducted by the National Park Authority over the weekend show that 68 per cent of the visitors would not normally have come to the Lakes and many had never visited before, so we want to stress how important it is for new visitors to protect this World Heritage Site.

Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Slattery continued: "With so many travelling at a time when most food outlets and most toilets are still closed, it is vital that people behave in a responsible and considerate manner.

"Until camp sites and holiday accommodation are allowed to open, people should not plan to stay overnight in contravention of the Coronavirus Regulations.

“Social distancing must be observed at all times, vehicles must be parked legally and considerately and visitors must take their rubbish away to be disposed of safely and responsibly.

"Roads blocked by parked cars and piles of discarded bottles and barbecues on the lakeshores are not acceptable. Now, more than ever, it is vital that visitors care for the area and leave nothing but footprints."