'PARK and rides' built in open countryside are likely to become expensive 'white elephants', say Windermere parish councillors.

Cumbria County Council has been consulting on plans for transport gateways at Milton, Shenstone and Kendal Fell, where motorists could park their cars and head into the Lakes by bus.

Parish councillor Gordon Fanstone analysed the options, and concluded they were "unnecessary, uneconomic and would be unused."

He said the transport gateway plans were inspired by the theory that traffic would increase greatly, but that had not been the case.

He said holiday habits were changing, and many people could now afford to go abroad.

Coun Fanstone said attempts to intercept tourists before they reached the Lakes could seem "hostile," and the British public "would not stand for compulsion."

He questioned the logic of attempting to cut down on traffic, while destroying countryside by building huge car parks.

"I can't see how isolated, urbanised car parks in open countryside - which will be white elephants - can be seen as Best Value," he said.

However, proposals to transform Braithwaite Fold car park, Bowness, into a transport interchange with shuttle buses to other villages were greeted by the majority of councillors.

Coun Fanstone said the capacity of Braithwaite Fold would be equal to the other three transport gateways put together.