By Linzi Watson

Last updated 11:34, Friday, 09 May 2008

CUMBRIA Tourism’s chairman has blasted councils for tarnishing the county’s reputation with a series of “petty and bureaucratic” decisions against local people.

Angry: Cumbria Tourism chair Eric Robson says the councils risk putting people off from visiting the county

His comments came after the cases of a Whitehaven man who was fined for leaving his bin lid ajar, a Workington greengrocer who had to pay £300 for dumping rotten vegetables on a compost heap, and a pensioner who was given a parking ticket while asleep in her car because her disabled disc was upside down.

Eric Robson, Chair of Cumbria Tourism, has hit out at the “stupidities” and called for councils to get their acts together.

He said: “Has Cumbria got a death wish?

“Should I give up trying to sell Cumbria as a welcoming tourism destination and a place keen to attract inward investment?”

Mr Robson said he has put a lot of effort into attracting investors to Cumbria.

But he added: “These types of things do not do the county any good.

“I am getting comments from people who say ‘why would we want to reposition to a county that takes such a petty and bureaucratic attitude?’. Rule are rules – but common sense is also common sense.

“The fact is that we elect local councillors to work with well paid local officers.

“Any fool can issue a ticket but dealing with the issues behind it is what these people are paid to do – not take the easy way out.

“Not content with Copeland making itself look stupid nationally by getting one of its council tax payers a criminal record for leaving his wheelie bin open a couple of inches, gosh now it's the turn of Allerdale and South Lakeland.

“Allerdale has fined somebody for putting scrap fruit and veg on his compost heap.

“I really must stop telling people to do that on Gardeners' Question Time.

“South Lakeland, meanwhile, has a friendly traffic warden who, taking time off from harrying tourist visitors, stuck a ticket on a disabled person’s car for having the disabled badge the wrong way up.

“To make it even better fun the disabled person was in the car at the time.”

Copeland Council stood by their decision to fine Whitehaven father Gareth Corkhill, adding that it is cracking down on overflowing bins.

Allerdale Council, which fined Colin Glaister for recycling rotting produce without a waste transfer note, said that it was acting under the Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and said that workers at the shop had been warned before the fine was issued.

South Lakeland Council refused to comment on specific case of Miss Raine, who was issued with a parking ticket while asleep in her car.

It referred to guidelines for disabled badges adding that they should be clearly and correctly displayed at all times.

LWatson@cngroup.co.uk