Promoting sustainable travel in National Parks

While it may not surprise you that millions of people visit the National Parks every year to enjoy what they have to offer, did you know that a staggering 90% of these visitors travel to and around the Parks by car which can lead to congestion, deter other road users such as cyclists and horse riders and destroy the clean air and tranquillity of these special places?

It needn’t be this way, as alternatives do exist around the Parks. For example, the Puffin Shuttle Coastal Bus provides a much needed ‘hail and ride’ service in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Hadrian’s Wall bus is a vital link in Northumberland.

CNP would like to see these services expanded across the Parks so that they provide visitors with alternative means of travel to their car. We are delighted that our lobbying has enabled National Parks to benefit from a new government sustainable transport fund - read our press release about this good news for the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

We encourage transport decision makers to support more sustainable ways of gaining access to and getting around the Parks, through increased public transport and improved walking and cycling provision. For example, in Wales we have launched a report on making sustainable transport easier for rural communities, in partnership with Sustrans Cymru and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales. Read the note of the roundtable discussion on this with Assembly Members and rural interest groups.

CNP has a strong track record in opposing damaging road building schemes that would affect National Parks. In 2010 we celebrated the decision to withdraw plans for a new bypass in the Peak District National Park, and we remain vigilant to any new proposals for road building in National Parks. 

CNP's briefing paper on transport has further information.