A ROW over car parking in a village looks set to rumble on after measures to reduce congestion were given the green light by councillors.

Controversial traffic restrictions are to be put in place in Cartmel, after Cumbria County Council voted in favour of a traffic regulation order for the village.

The order was the result of years of extensive consultations, commissioned by the Cartmel Township Initiative, which looked at ways to alleviate congestion within the popular tourist hotspot.

Some of the restrictions which will be introduced include double yellow lines being drawn in the village centre, as well as increasing the number of inner village parking spaces.

Barry Dean, chairman of the Cartmel Township Initiative which has pushed for the changes, said: "It is a compromise and we accept what they have come up with.

"It will make some difference, it won't solve all the problems, but it is to be welcomed for the village.

"It has been an eight-year process overall. We had to do something for parking safety and traffic movement."

While the decision has been a long time coming for many, other residents have been against the proposals from the start.

David Unsworth, who runs The Red Pepper wine shop, said: "This is a disappointing day for Cartmel.

"We know this isn't going to work. We have no bus services after 2pm, yet the council can spend £70,000 on a parking scheme.

"Cartmel was recently voted in The Times as one of the best places to live in the UK, yet people seem intent on ruining that."

Calls for parking restrictions in Cartmel, which were opposed by four Conservatives and one Labour councillor, have gained traction in recent years after the success of local restaurants such as the Cartmel Village Shop and Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred L’Enclume.

Cartmel councillor, Sue Sanderson, said: "The original TRO has been amended, and the police say it is a good scheme.

"Ninety-four per cent of residents from the consultation in 2014 said something needed to be done.

"This order was suggested by residents, not the council."