Borrowdale parish councillors heard that wild camping in flat areas of Manesty Woods was becoming an issue and moves are being made to deter it from happening.
A request has been made to the National Trust to consider moving fallen or dead trees onto these areas to put potential campers off pitching their tents.
The National Trust’s Joe Cornforth, upland ranger for the Borrowdale area, said that the conservation charity is taking on the boundaries team in the north Lakes to look at maintaining and repairing the woodland boundaries for the next two years. He confirmed that the National Trust would be patrolling during the summer with the initial focus being on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
During the meeting Mr Cornforth confirmed that contractors have now started on the restoration/repair of the right of way in the Tongue Gill area.
He said that works at Barrow Beck were going to be delayed until 2024 due to delays in an adjustment to a farmer’s scheme being approved.
It was noted that the (National Trust) Riverlands team is aware of the footpath undercutting between the stepping stones-Longthwaite and this is going to be looked at.
He said the Kettlewell car park height barrier appears to be working but it was noted that it was displacing the issue of overnight parking on to Great Wood car park in particular.
Cllr A Webb noted concerns about an apparently abandoned 4×4 at the old Grange water works above Piece Howe which does not appear to have moved for some time. There are concerns about the environmental pollution impacts.
Concerns were also noted about the condition of Longthwaite Road, and a request was put to the National Trust that now it has worked with the YHA to resolve the bridge issues could consideration be given to repairs being undertaken to the road which is now becoming dangerous.
Mr Cornforth said he would speak to the National Trust estate manager about this.
