Protect the Lake District's World Heritage status

Protect the Lake District's World Heritage status

Started
25 June 2017
Petition to
The Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority
Signatures: 391,101Next Goal: 500,000
101 people signed this week

Why this petition matters

Started by F G

Some of the most beautiful and distinctive stretches of land in the English Lake District are being ruined by 4x4s and motorbikes on remote fell and forest tracks (green lanes). They have forced a sheep farmer near Little Langdale out of the area. They are also violating the terms of its World Heritage status. UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre has asked the Lake District National Park to put an end to the use of off-road motor vehicles on these tracks, so has the National Trust. We have to protect this amazing landscape.

Some of us have lived here all our lives, and for the sheep farmers among us this land is our livelihood. It’s truly one of the most beautiful and serene landscapes in the country - and it’s heartbreaking to see the damage now being done to it.

To start with our campaign focused on two green lanes near Little Langdale, but in 2019 we set up the Lake District Green Lanes Alliance to protect other green lanes as well, like the one below above Coniston Water. Click here to join us. 

The noise of revving engines can be heard from far away, ruining the peace and tranquillity of the area that were key reasons for it being recognised by UNESCO.

Driving on green lanes has drastic environmental consequences as well. 45 leading environmental scientists have sent a letter to the Lake District National Park Authority, asking for urgent action to protect green lanes.

Some of the land where this is happening was owned by Beatrix Potter and handed over to the National Trust in the 1930s and 40s to preserve it for future generations. Letting off-road vehicles ruin its beauty and tranquillity is doing a great disservice to her legacy.

The Lake District National Park Authority has the power to stop this. We are calling on them to protect this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site by imposing Traffic Regulation Orders to stop 4x4s and motorbikes from doing any further damage.

Please sign our petition to help preserve the Lake District’s natural beauty and World Heritage status by protecting it from 4x4s and motorbikes. Find out more on our website.

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101 people signed this week
Signatures: 391,101Next Goal: 500,000
101 people signed this week
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Decision-Makers

  • The Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority