Edge-of-town car parks in Keswick are under-used because visitors are unable to locate them, it has been claimed.
There are now calls for Allerdale Borough Council to honour a commitment it made last February to provide better signage to help ease congestion in the more central car parks.
It follows the publication of the Keswick Transport Study, commissioned well over a year ago, which concluded that the town’s peripheral car parks were not being used because there are no signs directing tourists to them.
During preliminary meetings of the implementation group, Allerdale council made a commitment for more signs.
“It’s over a year now and as far as I know not a single penny has been spent on any new signs by Allerdale and as far as I know, not one sign has been ordered,” said Councillor Tony Lywood, who represents Keswick on Cumbria County Council.
“The county council has moved on its commitments and implemented the temporary one-way system on Station Street and have begun work on a parking plan for the back streets.
“But it appears that Allerdale has done precisely nothing!
“Allerdale takes well over £2 million from our car parks and yet they close our only swimming pool and can’t even pay for the signs that they themselves committed to following the transport study.
“It is an utter disgrace and they should be ashamed of themselves.
“They clearly treat Keswick as a cash cow to be milked without putting back money that is clearly needed in this area.”
Photographs taken last Sunday lunchtime show some of the peripheral car parks at Keswick Rugby Club, Rawnsley Hall and the pencil museum being virtually empty of vehicles while Bell Close, which is managed by Allerdale Borough Council, is full to overflowing with cars.
Keswick mayor Alan Dunn said Allerdale must honour its agreement to provide signage.
“Let’s not forget this is just part of the transport study’s conclusion.
“What is really needed is a serious overhaul of the parking in Keswick.
“Allerdale owes it to the people of Keswick and the thousands of visitors to act now and reinvest some serious money back in to bring their car parks into this century with displays saying how many spaces are available in each car park. It can be done and should be done.”
A spokesman for Allerdale said: “The council will be working with colleagues through the county’s Tactical Visitor Management Group to support a project to introduce new temporary AA signage in Keswick highlighting the range of car parking locations on offer in the town.”
