You can’t park there, mate! This driver ended up damaging his Vauxhall Insignia after blundering onto the bone-dry foreshore of Derwentwater.
The story goes that the first-time visitor from landlocked Birmingham thought he was driving onto a pebbled lakeshore car park – such is the low level of the lake in the heatwave – on Saturday June 17.
Realising his mistake, he then drove along the beach trying to find out how to get his car back up onto the B5289 Borrowdale Road, but is understood to have burned out his clutch trying to do so – leading to a call to the AA.
But not even the fourth emergency service could extract him and instead, a special larger tow, winch and ramps, from Eden Garage, Temple Sowerby, had to be drafted in at 9pm on the Sunday with the roads quieter. This week, the stricken car was with the Keswick Motor Co Ltd, although it’s believed our man shrugged off his mishap by going paddle boarding before a traipse back to his Airbnb.
Quelle surprise, it’s not the only parking mishap the area has seen. The official start of summer was traditionally marked at Castlerigg Stone Circle by a mass influx of motorists parking where they liked in order to be as close as humanly possible to what they came to see.
Tents were also pitched around the historic monument but it’ll take more than Summer Solstice wizardry to magic away the issues. “I have not seen so many cars and camper vans there before,” said an observer who took this picture (above) of a man co-ordinating the traffic.
“Perhaps we have reached saturation point,” she speculated. Meanwhile, Allerdale Police have come in for praise after ticketing vehicles causing an obstruction on the B5289. Some believe penalties need to be tripled and vehicles towed away before people will learn, but others say parking is insufficient.
Cumberland Council has warned there will be “co-ordinated” patrols in Borrowdale, especially the Stonethwaite area as crowds flock to Black Moss Pot pool.
The council said visitors “often park in an obstructive manner, causing inconvenience to others”.
It is urging the public to park “sensibly and responsibly”.
It has installed new signage to alert drivers that the road is very narrow and that they should leave enough space for emergency vehicles. In addition to this, drivers should be mindful of farmers who need access to their livestock, the council said.
Cumberland councillor Denise Rollo, said:“We want everyone to enjoy our outstanding area, but people must take responsibility when parking. When there is not enough room for a pedestrian to get past a parked car, pedestrians may be forced to step out onto the road, putting themselves at risk of oncoming traffic.
“It is important for drivers to be mindful when parking on narrow roads. While it may not be intentional, some drivers may unknowingly block the path of emergency vehicles. This can create a potential risk for those in need of immediate assistance.
“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in this matter, and we hope that by working together, we can improve the safety and convenience of our community’s roads. Remember, before parking, please think.”
Of the two fixed penalty notices given out, one was for a van parked in a bus stop, Cumbria Police told the Reminder: “Officers were in there area responding to concerns raised by the public via local surveys which showed concerns regarding people obstructing the road with their vehicles, as well as concerns over excessive speed in the area.
“Obstructing the road with inconsiderate parking could have serious consequences if emergency vehicles are unable to reach their destination or are delayed so we urge people to think about the potential ramifications if leaving their vehicle in an inappropriate place.”
