A CRACKDOWN on illegal parking in the Bowness area has been promised after numerous instances of visitors leaving their cars on double yellow lines was reported.

The problem centres on Longtail Hill, a busy connecting road which is also heavily used by traffic using the nearby Windermere ferry.

Double yellow lines have been in place on the road for many years, but local resident Roy Pugh said a line of vehicles were now regularly parking on those yellow lines.

He explained that the road has double white lines down its centre and therefore vehicles travelling down the road were forced to cross the white lines, which is technically an illegal manoeuvre, in order to proceed.

And Mr Pugh added there is also a sharp bend in the road which made the situation dangerous and he feared it was only a matter of time before a serious accident took place.

He added that Longtail Hill was not the only thoroughfare in the area where such illegal parking was taking place, and he said the increase in the number of visitors in recent years since the Lake District had secured World Heritage Site status had exacerbated the problem.

"The infrastructure just does not seem to be able to cope with the increased number of visitors," he said.

However, when the issue was pointed out to Cumbria County Council, a spokesperson confirmed the issue would be addressed.

“Double yellow lines are in place to assist with road safety and traffic movement," said the spokesperson.

"Cumbria County Council’s civil enforcement officers visit Bowness-on-Windermere on a regular basis.

"In view of the concerns raised additional visits will be made to this location and penalty charge notices issued where parking contraventions are identified.

"On-street parking issues can be reported to the Council via e-mail parking@cumbria.gov.uk or telephone 03003 032992.”