Letter: Visitors must show greater consideration (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Letter: Visitors must show greater consideration

4:31pm Monday 2nd July 2012 in Opinion

Visitors must show greater consideration I wish to express my anger and frustration at the lack of thought and respect holiday makers have for locals that live here!

Don't get me wrong. We are totally aware of the huge tourist economy here.

We all appreciate the trials and tribulations that come with living in one of the most beautiful places in the country. On the most part, we are patient and understanding of the loitering tourist who ambles down the centre of the road without ever looking behind them, even though there is a perfectly suitable pavement on either side of the road.

We smile and give a courtesy nod when they suddenly brake in their cars to take in a breathtaking view and wave us on. We're even happy to help struggling walkers kitted out in their finest designer gear that has only just come out of their equally designer carrier bag with a map that they don't know how to read but they were told that it was a must for a day out on the fells!

We don't mind any of that. But what we DO mind is the total lack of respect that holiday makers have for those of us who live here 24/7.

We live in a small residential area. A cul de sac of seven houses. Clearly marked at the road end is a ‘Private Road’ sign. Yet people still think it is ok to turn round in what is clearly an extremely awkward and dangerous road end.

Several times I have driven out of my driveway to be confronted by some lost soul who has managed to wedge his car at the turning to our estate. On numerous occasions alien cars have found it perfectly acceptable to fully land on our driveway and that of our neighbours to turn round. Once we arrived home from shopping to find some enormous 4x4 actually parked in the drive with its passengers looking bemused at a map!

Having lived in several parts of the country, this is the only place I have ever come across that visitors have a total disregard for local people. A perfect example is that of the evening of the Olympic Torch - a momentous occasion, where local people worked hard to make it a truly memorable event.

Park and rides were set up everywhere. Shuttle buses ferryied people to and fro, but we still had to put up with people parking and blocking our road end.

When one ‘gentleman’ abandoned his car where it was totally inappropriate and was politely told that he couldn't park it there he stormed off, rudely saying he was parking it there to watch the event and that was that.

Presumably this is because he didn't want to pay for parking, whereas locals we have to pay all the time, even though we live here.

There is always a stream of cars parked on double yellow lines outside the local fish and chip shop, yet there is an enormous car park not 50 yards away. This constantly causes problems.

We all want the tourist industry to thrive and for holiday makers to enjoy their short time here and to love the place we, as locals, are fortunate enough to have all year round. But we would also appreciate just a little consideration from them.

I'm sure this wouldn't be tolerated by them if the shoe was on the other foot!

• Elaine Jakins, Bowness