THE number of visitors enjoying Talkin Tarn – one of north Cumbria’s top beauty spots – is on the up, with additional income being reinvested to continuously add to its appeal.

The country park’s increasing popularity is reflected in the number of pay and display car park tickets purchased by visitors, which in just two years has seen a 33 per cent rise.

Carlisle City Council, which owns the park near Brampton, said there were 31,340 tickets issued in 2014/ 2015, with 35,278 last year and 40,600 projected by the end of this financial year.

August 2016 saw the highest monthly sales since parking charges were introduced, with 4,530 tickets bought.

In January, the figure was more than 1,000 above the same month last year.

A report set to go before a council panel highlights the rise.

Darren Crossley, the authority’s deputy chief executive, said: “These are very encouraging figures and demonstrate Talkin Tarn’s increasing appeal as a destination for visitors throughout the year.”

City council leader Colin Glover said his authority had consistently invested in Talkin Tarn since it took ownership in 2006 to improve what it has to offer.

The council made a policy decision some time ago to reinvest any surpluses from car parking and the cafe on site back into the country park.

Mr Glover said: “It means we can continue improving it and improving the offer there.

“It’s a real family destination which is in our stewardship and we want to look after it.

“We decided that quite some time ago and we are seeing the benefits of that now.

“It needed investment and that was going to happen over a period of time. It just makes it a really nice destination for the district.”

Recent plans by the Labour-led council to double the cost of an annual parking permit at the tarn were scrapped following opposition from regular users, including the tarn’s rowing and sailing clubs.

Other parking prices for an hour or more are still set to increase by 5p or 10p.

Conservative councillor Mike Mitchelson, who sits on the panel the report is going to – and who opposed the parking proposals – wants to ensure the council fulfills its promise to reinvest the surplus income.

He said: “I am pleased to see more and more people are using Talkin Tarn. It has always been a fantastic facility for people to come and enjoy.

“When you see the increased income that they have had over the past year it questions why they thought there was a need to increase the car parking charges.”

Mr Mitchelson was pleased the permit proposals were scrapped but was disappointed the hourly charges would rise when there is clearly increased income.

He said: “The case was there that the car parking charges should have been left alone.

“What we want to make sure now is that this increased income is actually reinvested, as per the promise, in the facilities at Talkin Tarn and not siphoned off somewhere else.

“It’s a lovely facility and as more people use it, it has obviously got to be maintained properly.”

A cafe, more outdoor theatre performances and a programme of other events have added to the natural appeal of the tarn.

The report also updates members on Talkin Tarn’s accounts for the last financial year.

Income generated by commercial activities was £252,875, an increase of £20,000 on the previous year.

It concludes: “The Talkin Tarn business plan has proved to be a successful vehicle for managing the Tarn’s commercial activities and controlling costs.”