Land use conflicts and solutions
The variety of different land uses, inevitably causes disagreement. Most of this conflict results from the mass influx of tourists, especially during the summer months.
As there are so many different landowners and land users many conflicts arise. We will focus on two and the various management strategies designed to minimise these conflicts.
Conflict 1: tourists vs farmers
| Problems | Solutions |
| Walkers leave gates open | Farmers display 'keep gate closed' signs |
| Dogs chase sheep | Park rangers are employed to prevent problems by encouraging responsible tourism |
| Stone walls are damaged | Voluntary bodies, such as the National Trust, protect areas by buying land and buildings, and maintaining walls and footpaths |
| Farmers may restrict access to walkers at certain times, eg lambing season | Park rangers liaise with different land users to minimise problems |
| Noise disturbs animals | Visitor centre staff aim to educate the public about the 'Outdoor Access Code' |
| Problems | Walkers leave gates open |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Farmers display 'keep gate closed' signs |
| Problems | Dogs chase sheep |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Park rangers are employed to prevent problems by encouraging responsible tourism |
| Problems | Stone walls are damaged |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Voluntary bodies, such as the National Trust, protect areas by buying land and buildings, and maintaining walls and footpaths |
| Problems | Farmers may restrict access to walkers at certain times, eg lambing season |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Park rangers liaise with different land users to minimise problems |
| Problems | Noise disturbs animals |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Visitor centre staff aim to educate the public about the 'Outdoor Access Code' |
Conflict 2: tourists vs locals
| Problems | Solutions |
| Increased litter | National Parks have removed litter bins in the hope that people take their litter home |
| Traffic congestion at peak times impedes locals going about their daily business | One-way systems, pedestrianised areas and improved public transport have been introduced to reduce the effect of traffic congestion |
| Footpath erosion results in visual pollution in popular walking areas, eg on the mountain Helvellyn | National Park officers can build stone paths to reduce footpath erosion and put up signs to direct walkers along alternative routes |
| More noise and air pollution from heavy visitor traffic | Rail and bus services have been improved to reduce the number of cars in the national park |
| Services may close as second home owners are not permanent residents | Weekly vans providing services to small villages, eg mobile library |
| Problems | Increased litter |
|---|---|
| Solutions | National Parks have removed litter bins in the hope that people take their litter home |
| Problems | Traffic congestion at peak times impedes locals going about their daily business |
|---|---|
| Solutions | One-way systems, pedestrianised areas and improved public transport have been introduced to reduce the effect of traffic congestion |
| Problems | Footpath erosion results in visual pollution in popular walking areas, eg on the mountain Helvellyn |
|---|---|
| Solutions | National Park officers can build stone paths to reduce footpath erosion and put up signs to direct walkers along alternative routes |
| Problems | More noise and air pollution from heavy visitor traffic |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Rail and bus services have been improved to reduce the number of cars in the national park |
| Problems | Services may close as second home owners are not permanent residents |
|---|---|
| Solutions | Weekly vans providing services to small villages, eg mobile library |
