CAR parking fees in the Lake District are to increase as operating costs continue to ‘rise’.

Members of the resources committee for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) endorsed the proposed car parking fee increases across the Lake District, which included a 67 per cent rise in the price of a two hour stay at Brockhole – the authority’s visitor centre near Windermere.

Director of visitor services and resources at the LDNPA Gavin Capstick said: “At Resources Committee this week our members were asked to agree our Medium-Term Financial strategy which sets out our strategic approach to financial management over the medium term to support the Authority in achieving our Business Plan objectives.

“As part of this, car parking fees and charges have been reviewed and proposals were agreed for these to be increased for 2024/25 in the majority of our car parks.

“Parking charges at our Lake District visitor centre, Brockhole, have remained static for the past six years. Our costs of operating continue to rise, accordingly we had to take the decision to propose increases to these parking tariffs which were agreed yesterday at committee.

“We are confident that we still offer families a great day out at Brockhole, with many free activities to enjoy.”

The cost of parking at Brockhole for two hours will increase from £3 to £5.

The report prepared for the resources committee said: “Once endorsed, work will start immediately to implement the new fees to ensure machines and signage are in place; there is a lead in time for this work which may extend to several weeks, the new fees will go live as soon as practicable and may be prior to 31/3/2024.”

Visitor services budgets have been ‘fully reviewed’ in light of the operating performance for 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years. The last two years have seen the trading reserve fall from its £500,000 target balance to £0.

The report states: “A full operating review has been undertaken to reduce the risk of this recurring. Budgets have been set that allow the Authority to continue providing a good service level to visitors while trying to address volatility in the net income.”

“Visitor Services income represents around 45% of our total income over the life of the MTFS (Medium Term Financial Strategy). Trading income from the visitor economy is demand-led, and demand can rise and fall significantly during any financial year as a result of the weather and wider economic conditions”, the report adds.

According to the report the proposed medium term financial plan presents a balanced revenue budget for 2024/25 with ‘modest recurring savings’ to be identified in future years.

All day charges for parking across the Lake District have remained the same.

Here is the full list of the proposed increases in the Lake District for two hour and four hour stays:

Location

24/25 proposed price for a 2 hour stay

24/25 proposed price for a 4 hour stay

Increase on current price for a 2 hour stay

Increase on current price for a 4 hour stay

Hammar Bank

£4

£5

£1

£0.50

High Dam

£4

£5

£1

£0.50

Beech Hill

£4

£5

£1

£0.50

Station Coppice

£4

£6

£1

£1

Brown Howe

£5

£7

£1

£0.50

Pelter Bridge

£5

£7

£1

£0.50

Coniston Old Station

£5

£7

£1

£0.50

Monk Coniston

£5

£7

£1

£0.50

Dungeon Ghyll

£5

£7

£1

£0.50

Dunmallard

£5

£6

£1

£0.50

Pooley Bridge

£5

£6

£1

£0.50

Brockhole

£5

£6.50

£2

£1.10

Broadgate Meadow

£5

£6.50

£1

£1

Glenridding

£5

£6.50

£1

£1

Ruskin Avenue

£5

£6.50

£1

£1

Stock Lane

£5

£6.50

£1

£1

Waterhead

£5

£6.50

£1

£1

Walna Scar

–

£6

–

£1

Windermere School

–

£6

–

£1

 

A small number of proposed increases have been deferred to 2025/26 to take account of ‘local circumstances’.

These include: Ravenglass, Buttermere, Coniston Boating Centre and Hawkshead.