THE Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has revealed how much money it received from its car parks from March 2022 to March 2023. 

A spokesperson from LDNPA revealed it received £1,732,904 from its car parks in the Lakes. However, they said that this money was reinvested back into the services provided by the authority.  

The park authority operates car parks across its remit, from near Kendal to around Bassenthwaite. 

At the Ruskin Avenue Car Park in Coniston, it costs £4 to park for up to two hours as of October 20, according to the RingGo app. 

The spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the income generated from our car parks between March 2022 - March 2023 amounted to £1,732,904. However, it is essential to clarify that this sum is not profit. Every penny earned from our car parks is reinvested directly into the maintenance, preservation, and enhancement of the Lake District.

READ MORE: Lake District Park Authority introduces free off peak permits

"Our goal is to ensure that the Lake District remains a unique, accessible, and sustainable destination for both residents and visitors. This income plays a pivotal role in enabling us to maintain the park's beauty, biodiversity, and infrastructure, ensuring that it remains special for generations to come.”

Tracy Coward, chair of Coniston Parish Council, said: "I think there is an overall problem with car parking. We do need more car parking if that money is being put into increasing car parking spaces. People are paying (the fees), they must be willing to pay it." 

She said that the potential issue with expensive parking is that visitors attempt dangerous on-street parking when the village is busy. 

This was also raised by the South Lakes MP Tim Farron: "When you make the car parks too expensive you push people into parking into silly places."

However, Mr Farron expressed sympathy for the authority, saying that it cannot charge council tax and therefore needs revenue from somewhere. 

He said that car parks should become more like transport hubs that integrate with bus, train and cycle services in the Lakes. 

In the summer LDNPA offered free off-peak parking permits for residents after it brought in 24-hour tariffs in the pay and display car parks. They can park at no charge between 6pm and 9am, seven days a week including bank holidays.