A LAKE DISTRICT environmental group has hit out a traffic congestion in the national park.

Friends of the Lake District said with the area being declared a World Heritage Site, more and people will visit - and more cars will come to the tourist attraction.

The group's fundraising officer, Rachel Damms, said increased numbers of cars would bring more pollution and ruin the much-loved setting.

She said: "Much of the road system is at capacity and yet the demands on it are certainly set to increase. If left unchecked, noise, congestion and pollution could inadvertently end up ruining the special places we flock to visit.

"In my travels abroad I have often been impressed by how easy it has been to abandon the car for the week and rely on valley shuttle bus services or rural trains and trams.

"Of course the Lake District is a unique context and will require a bespoke plan, but encouraging substantial usage of sustainable transport has been achieved in other parts of the world.

"Friends of the Lake District is spearheading work to help find practical and creative transport solutions to what we feel is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Lake District.

Alone we cannot be the answer, but we aim to be a catalyst, bringing partners together from across the county to start identifying key issues and exploring practical and innovative transport solutions."