Efforts are being made to improve communication between organisers of mass participation events and Keswick Town Council following complaints about disruption from frustrated members of the public.
The issue was to be discussed at last night’s meeting of the parish council at which councillors were due to be told that there had been correspondence from a resident about the disturbance caused by the Lakesman Triathlon that took place on June 18. The complainant said in a letter to the council that events should not impact on the town quite as much as this one did.
“The A66 was at crawling speed, cyclists all over the road and rubbish being thrown onto the verges,” said the letter. “The main westerly entrance to the town was blocked off, the diversion then was very busy and went down a section of road that at the best of times is one line due to roadside parking.
“A main car park was closed off reducing the number of day visitors’ parking available and then has a five-lap running route through the town and all for what?”
The letter added: “They say that this event brings in £2m to the local economy. I ask that they qualify this as I for one do not believe that.”
The author suggested that this event be run along the same lines as the Keswick Mountain Festival which goes ahead with minimal disruption to the town centre and usually with no road closures.
“I know that a number of people have complained to the police and national highways about the event (Lakesman Triathlon),” added the complainant. “And while I know events do bring people to the town, we need to be careful that it’s not just to the benefit of the organisers. There were many frustrated drivers, tourists and locals and all for an event that is here one day and gone the next leaving us to literally pick up their mess and fall out.”
In a report to members, council clerk Vivien Little said there had also been a number of comments from residents about the Fred Whitton Challenge, the upcoming 13 Valleys Ultra Race as well as events that the council does not get to hear about. She said the main concerns were about the Lakesman as it would appear organisers were going beyond the advertised road closures by coning off additional roads as well as stopping traffic at the Tithebarn roundabout to let runners past. As well as the general traffic chaos, rubbish was also being dropped at the side of the roads.
Mrs Little said that all these events should be run past the Cumberland Events Advisory Group (EAG) and its guidance states it would be advisable for organisers to engage fully with the local community in the early stages of event planning and to contact the relevant parish council. She said this was not happening and that she intends to contact the EAG and request it sends through a copy of information about any event that affects Keswick.
“This is something that they used to do but this communication has stopped in recent years,” said Mrs Little in her report. “But with the new Cumberland Council in place, I think it’s time to request that this be re-started.”
She also suggested that the council’s Visitor Management Working Group – a liaison group that has primarily been looking at the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail – expand its remit to work with the Keswick Tourism Association, Lake District National Park Authority and Cumberland Council to look at mass participation events. Mrs Little also suggested that the town council encourages event organisers to have a liaison group to which the council could contribute.
“This has worked for Keswick Ministries and Keswick Mountain Festival as it provides a forum for feedback which has proven useful and effective,” she said, adding: “I would like to find a solution that would enable the events to happen without the disruption that was seen this year.”
