A tourist tax is being proposed for the Lake District (Image: Getty)
Visitors to the Lake District have been sent another threat over a proposed tourist tax – and you could even be charged for driving.
The Friends of the Lake District have claimed in a new report that visitors are creating an “invisible burden” on the region and a new tax should be brought in.
Problems they cite include sewage discharge into the lakes, high carbon emissions, traffic and environmental damage from cars, and hollowing out communities through second homes and holiday lets.
Friends of the Lake District policy officer Dr Kate Willshaw told the : “We know that tourism plays a vital role in supporting local economies. But we also know, from this research, it brings with it a cost that is not currently being met.”
The report, Who Pays For the Lake District?, found that 18 million tourists come to the area “exceed the capacity” of local infrastructure.
The report said tourists are a “burden” on the Lake District (Image: Getty)
Dr Davina Stanford, who carried out the study, said that money could be raised through a tax on overnight stays, a visitor vehicle levy charge, or a visitor parking charge.
Money raised from a tourist tax should then be invested into the issues by local authorities and the Lake District National Park Authority, the report proposes.
A tourist business improvement district could also be created, covering parts of the national park where businesses have to pay an extra levy for public improvements.
Dr Rose O’Neill, chief executive of Campaign for National Parks, backed the report saying: “National Parks are one of the country’s biggest success stories, bringing huge benefits in terms of health and wellbeing, and billions of pounds and thousands of jobs to support rural economies.
“However, National Park Authorities have faced real-term cuts of over 40% in the last decade and are being pushed to breaking point.
“Today’s report shows that, through innovative visitor levy models, coupled with government funding and effective regulation, the hundred million visits to National Parks each year could become a force for recovery, for nature and ourselves.”
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But Lake District National Park officials have confirmed they have “no plans” for a tourist tax.
Dr Celia Caulcott, who chairs the Lake District National Park Partnership, said: “There are no current plans to implement any of the measures proposed in the report.
“We recognise the need to secure new investment into the Lake District and Cumbria to support local communities, our infrastructure and to help move people around sustainably.
“One of our current approaches is to encourage voluntary visitor giving to the Lake District Foundation which helps fund projects which serve our natural environment, climate and people.
“Discussions on a series of significant subject matters affecting the Lake District will take place with all partners as we begin to develop the Lake District Partnership Plan 2026-2031.
“Friends of the Lake District are a valued member of the Lake District National Park Partnership and we welcome their insight. Their views and the recommendations of this report are not, however, representative of the partnership as a whole.”