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WHAT PROBLEMS DOES TOURISM BRING?
Between 16.2 and 20 million visits are made by car to the Peak District National Park every year and another 1.5 million visits made by public transport. Visits by Peak Park residents or other visitors on foot, account for another 1.2 million whilst a further 3 - 3.6 million people drive through the Park just to admire the scenery.
Congestion of Villages and Beauty Spots.
90% of visits to the Park are made by car. Some of the most popular honeypot areas attract large numbers of visitors. resulting in overcrowded car parks, blocked roads, and overstretched local facilities - particularly on Summer Sundays.
Average Daily Traffic Flows
| Site of Count |
1980 |
1982 |
1984 |
1986 |
1988 |
1990 |
1992 |
1994 |
1996 |
| A6 Bakewell |
6645 |
6836 |
7060 |
7600 |
8186 |
8830 |
9211 |
9614 |
10044
|
| A515 Fenny Bentley |
4208 |
4231 |
4238 |
4306 |
4953 |
5356 |
5625 |
5396 |
5482 |
| A628 Crowden |
3649 |
3794 |
4235 |
4953 |
6194 |
8691 |
8851 |
9574 |
9542
|
| A623 Chapel |
4061 |
4033 |
4230 |
4333 |
5560 |
5902 |
6048 |
6400 |
6220 |
| C96 Edale |
604 |
593 |
597 |
569 |
642 |
702 |
756 |
720 |
708
|
| A54 Cleulow Cross |
1046 |
0994 |
1020 |
1052 |
1100 |
1360 |
1460 |
1508 |
1289 |
| A625 Fox House |
3957 |
3936 |
4183 |
4450 |
4686 |
4791 |
4883 |
4804 |
4128*
|
| A635 Greenfield |
1930 |
1975 |
2059 |
2194 |
2233 |
3160 |
3488 |
3693 |
3764
|
| *major roadworks in autumn/winter |
Erosion of Footpaths and Sensitive Vegetation
There are over 3,000 footpaths in the Peak Park and heavy use of the most popular paths has led to considerable erosion. Particularly heavy wear is caused by sponsored walks and by horse riding on unsurfaced bridleways.
Damage and Disturbance to Wildlife
Wildlife may be disturbed by the level of use on some of the 200 square kilometres of moorland which is open to the public. Moorland birds (and sandpipers on the banks of streams and reservoirs) nest and roost on the ground and are therefore specially sensitive. Orienteering, mountain biking and hang gliding are likely to cause unexpected disturbance.
Litter
Litter of all kinds is both unsightly and can cause pollution, damage to livestock and wild animals. Broken glass is a danger to people and a possible cause of fire.
Damage to Farmland
Trampling crops of grass reduces the amount of winter feed for farm animals. Walkers who stray from footpaths may climb over the drystone walls rather than looking out for the stiles which mark the course of footpaths across farmland. Livestock can come to grief if gates are left open, allowing them to stray. Many sheep are injured and even killed by dogs not under proper control.
Tourist Villages
Gift shops and cafes which cater for the needs of tourists are often more profitable than shops selling everyday goods for local people (such as butchers or bakers). In some villages where tourist shops are in the majority,and there are few shops catering for the local people, the local community may feel pushed out by the tourists.
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THE NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY POLICY ON TOURISM
According to the Environment Act 1995, the purposes of National Parks are:
- conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
- promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities.
- The National Park must also “foster the economic and social well-being of the local communities.”
The main activities of Visitors to the Park
|
|
Activities during Visit
|
| Activity |
Day Trip |
On holiday |
| |
% |
% |
| Stroll\short walk |
33 |
33 |
| Hiking (2 hours or more) |
59 |
86 |
| Sightseeing(in car) |
52 |
70 |
| Sightseeing (on foot) |
61 |
74 |
| Picnic\buy food |
81 |
100 |
| Relax\sat around |
22 |
20 |
| Shopping |
25 |
41 |
| Visit information centre |
19 |
42 |
| Visit historic attraction |
20 |
44 |
| Nature study/birdwatching |
21 |
31 |
| Sports/hobbies |
19 |
29 |
(Taken from All Parks Visitor Survey 1994) |
The National Park Authority is responsible for drawing up policities for planning and management of the Park. The main objectives for recreation and tourism are:
 1. To provide for those seeking quiet enjoyment of the Park - through promoting quiet active recreation, such as walking, cycling etc.
2. To achieve a more even spread of visits over the year - the tourism market is very seasonal and many places are overcrowded in the summer and very quiet in winter.
3. To increase the number of staying visitors (who stay one or more nights) - as they spend more money and so help support the many small businesses which depend on tourism.
4. To reduce the number of visits made by car - in all parts of the Park, efforts are being made to encourage greater use of public transport with extra bus services and special routes serving popular honeypot areas.
5. To promote understanding of the special qualities of the Peak District to visitors.
6. To maximise local social and economic benefits.
Average Daily Expenditure in and Around the Park
| |
Day Trip |
Holiday
(in Park)
|
Holiday
(near Park) |
All Visitors
|
| Total |
£5.60 |
£12.40 |
£8.90 |
£7.00 |
| (Taken from All Parks Visitor Survey, 1994) |
Sustainable Tourism
Recreation and tourism development must be sustainable to protect the Park for future generations to enjoy. What do we mean by sustainable tourism? When tourism is sustainable, the natural and cultural resources and the environmental, social and economic well-being of an area are maintained forever.
To maintain sustainable tourism in the Peak District National Park, a system of recreation and tourism zones has been developed, based on the carrying capacity of the different areas of the Park.
- Natural Zone No development. e.g. moorland on Kinder Scout is in the Natural Zone.
- Zone 1 Small scale development, such as on Burbage Moor - there is a car park only.
- Zone 2 Modest scale development, such as in Longdendale valley - with a Visitor Centre and surfaced path.
- Zone 3 Major tourist facilities, such as at Bakewell with a Visitor Centre, shops and hotels
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