John Atkinson Slurry Covers Dozens of Cars Near Rydal Water
Dozens of cars parked on a field off the A591 near Rydal Water were covered in slurry over the bank holiday weekend. A video shared with the showed the vehicles sitting on the field in the Lake District beauty spot, where parking has long been a problem.
John Atkinson, a farmer near Coniston, said the area was so busy that he would not have been able to move his tractor at all. He said the weekend brought delays and frustration for all road users, not just farmers, and described the parking as inconsiderate.
Rydal Water parking pressure
Atkinson said parking problems become worse during weekends and school holidays, when visitors crowd into the national park. He said the weekend at Rydal Water was so busy that, in his words, “It was absolutely horrendous, I've seen it worse, but not much worse,” and added, “It just seems like people disengage their brains when they come to the countryside.”
He also pointed to the different standard he believes applies in towns, saying, “If we went down to Manchester and parked anywhere we wanted, we'd get towed away.”
John Atkinson confrontation
Atkinson said he had been stabbed in the chest a few years ago after confronting a motorist who was causing an obstruction. He said, “He didn't even talk to me, I tapped on his window and he jumped out and stabbed me,” and added, “He broke one of my ribs, but luckily it didn't penetrate my chest.”
He described that as a freak incident, but said it showed how frustration and anger can build when access is blocked.
Cumbria Police warning
After the bank holiday weekend incident, Cumbria Police reminded visitors to park considerately. In a social media post, the force said: “If you're parking somewhere, make sure it is following the highway code and in an appropriate place that is not going to block any drivers - especially emergency services vehicles that may need to get through.”
The warning leaves the message for visitors in plain terms: use a proper space, keep access clear and avoid blocking vehicles that need to pass through the Lakes.
