Ashburton's Mayor is defending the decision to restrict tour bus access to one of the country's top spots

The District Council placed signs stating 'no coaches in the Lake Clearwater hut settlement in June.

It's after safety concerns from bach owners, who say the buses create large volumes of dust.

Mayor, Neil Brown says amendments have been made following a hearing, to only ban coaches with more than 20 seats.

He says vehicles carrying more passengers will have to park at the main road, and walk 300 metres in.