PARK bosses have given their approval to 'a new vision' for the Lake District which includes reducing carbon emissions in the area and cutting private car use by 10 per cent.
Members of the Lake District National Park Authority met on Wednesday, giving their seal of approval to a Partnership Plan.
The plan guides decision-making on all aspects of life in the Lake District, including how visitors are encouraged to travel within the park.
Plans approved by park leaders
Although currently in draft form, the plan, when complete, will inform the actions of park bosses and partners until 2051.
Improvement efforts under the plan will bring to life 'a new vision' for the area in 2051 - the 100th anniversary of the English Lake District becoming officially recognised as a national park.
Targets set to be achieved under the plan in the first five years include reducing carbon emissions by 77 per cent; reducing the number of visitors using a private car as their main method of travel by 10 per cent.
Park bosses also aim to increase the number of visitors using active and environmentally friendly travel by 12 per cent and increase bus and rail usage by 10 per cent each.
Officers and partners were praised for the hard work they had sunk into the plan, which will now go out to consultation.
Chairman of the park's Strategy and Vision Committee, Peter Walter said: "I think it's a very well written plan. It's clear, it's accessible to people reading it for the first time who aren't experts and haven't spent months preparing it.
"It has clear understandable actions and it has clear outcomes and I think it has some ambitious targets in it as well.
Mr Walter said: "I would like to thank officers for all the work they put into it and partners and members for their rigorous assessment of it over the last three meetings that we've been able to comment on it."
Members approved the latest draft of the plan, agreeing to open it up to community feedback.
What do business owners think?
Tim Fisher, owner of the Northern Lights Gallery and Pole Star Gallery in Keswick said that plans to increase use of public transport by 10 per cent "a lovely aspiration."
But he said: "You've got to change the perspective people take to moving around the park, you have to change the mindset.
"In America, they strap little modules to the front of the bus, like a bike rack, so you can take the bus there and right your bike back. Why don't they consider that?"
Mr Fisher encouraged park bosses to draw on the experience of professionals who have travelled in the United States.
"America has an incredible network of national parks."
He said: "At the minute, I get the impression from people on the buses, it's a very hit and miss affair.
"It depends what the National Park envisages is its target audience, people on Cold Fell or Mungrisdale, they may value bus services but if that's going to bring in 10 people a week, is that going to satisfy that target? Probably not."
Mr Fisher also suggested a park and ride service where visitors can leave their car and take public transport into Keswick.
"That service could alleviate a lot of cars coming into town."
He added that this would alleviate the congestion typically seen in the Borrowdale as less tourists staying at venues in the valley would be driving into Keswick.
Jonathan Moore, co-owner of the Alhambra Cinema in Keswick said: "The partnership is the key body which has all parties in it that can make a difference in the Lake District."
Mr Moore said: "Their plan is far more focused than it's predecessor and includes tangible targets and measures, if these things can be brought to fruition then it will be a huge success for locals, businesses, tourists and the environment."
Next steps
Members of the public will now be asked for their views on the draft plan to "test the partnership's thinking on its proposals for the park's future management."
An additional transport objective is set to be added to the plan following discussions between the park authority and its partners.
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