Fix the Fells
Help fix our fells
65 per cent of our visitors say the spectacular scenery is why they travel to the Lake District and 87 per cent confirm they go for a walk. No surprise then that a people counter on a footpath in Wasdale clocked 28,616 walkers in June 2005!
However popularity has its drawbacks. Erosion scars caused by the passage of millions of feet can damage the landscape irrevocably.
A partnership project involving ourselves, the National Trust and Natural England has been addressing the problem over recent years. A further five-year Heritage Lottery Fund award builds on what has already been achieved.
Fix the Fells is a five year project run by a partnership of the Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and Natural England. It is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support and funding from the Tourism and Conservation Partnership, Friends of the Lake District and the Ramblers Association. It will:
- Undertake audience development designed to encourage greater understanding of and support for access to the fells by both existing users and identified target audiences.
- Provide training and development for all staff, volunteers and contractors involved in the project.
- Continue repairing seriously eroded landscapes and associated paths resulting from access coupled with the effects of the Lake District climate.
- Increasingly concentrate on transferring the practical work away from the larger projects, towards smaller, pre-emptive type works.
We will continue upland path restoration and place greater emphasis on involving lots of people. There’ll be volunteering and training opportunities, educational visits and events and activities for everyone to get busy!
To see how much has been raised, donate online and read pleas from the paths themselves check out Fix the Fells (opens in new window).
Footpath Erosion
Our education service has produced a Footpath Erosion Factsheet (opens Document Library).
