Visitors to the Lake District who travel by road should be charged for entering the national park, Keswick’s mayor said.
Paul Titley said the money that would be generated could then fund better roads, car parks and public transport for the Lakes and cut congestion.
He wants Cumbria County Council to complete a feasibility study on a sustainability or congestion charge.
He said charges could be made automatically via vehicle registration-plate recognition, without any need for toll booths.
Charges would not apply for Cumbrian residents or people visiting on business.
“We regularly complain about car parks, cycle paths, too many cars, expensive buses and not enough of them,” said Mr Titley.
“Cumbria has one of the largest road networks in the country but one of the smallest populations to pay for it — and I can’t see cash being easier to obtain after COVID.
“Charging is already being discussed privately at county level and by the Lake District National Park Authority.
“Asking for a feasibility study brings that out into the open and may actually get something done.” the mayor added.
He has asked Keswick Town Council to discuss the issue at its meeting this week. He declined to put a figure on how much the charge might be. Keswick’s county councillor Tony Lywood backs him.
