By Chris Story

Published at 11:26, Friday, 14 September 2012

DRIVERS in the Lake District are being urged to play their part in a global campaign to park up their cars.

Tourism chiefs in Cumbria are backing World Car Free Day, which takes place on September 22.

It is being prompted as part of the GoLakes Travel programme, a multi-million pound environmental programme to cut carbon emissions in the national park.

As its name suggests, World Car Free Day is a campaign aiming to cut congestion and encourage people to use other forms of transport.

Richard Greenwood, head of policy and research at Cumbria Tourism, said: “World Car Free Day is an important day in the calendar where people around Europe and the rest of the world can focus to do their bit for reducing congestion and pollution. We would like to ask people who are visiting the Lake District to have a go at leaving their car for one day and trying out the range of fun alternatives for exploring the area.”

The GoLakes project is investing in creating new bus services, expanding bike hire, creating new and improved cycle paths and bringing low emission cars to the Lake District.

A new bike bus carries up to 12 bikes and riders, through the heart of the Lakes from Windermere Railway Station to Keswick and the Whinlatter Forest visitor Centre

Tim Knowles, county councillor responsible for transport and the environment, said: “The Lake District is a special place for very many people and we want to make sure it stays that way into the future.

“We hope people will take a look at all the options.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk