Peak District outrage over 'ridiculous' parking mayhem at popular beauty spot

Peak District residents have been left outraged over the 'ridiculous' and 'persistent' parking chaos that continues to mar a beloved beauty spot. Over the past few weeks, police have repeatedly been called in to deal with cars being abandoned at Winnat's Pass and Rushup Edge near Buxton, in the Peak District, Derbyshire.

Last Sunday (January 12), roads were shut by police due to poor parking and deserted cars obstructing the roads. The previous day, around 200 parked vehicles had blocked gritting lorries and emergency services trying to assist an injured walker.

Derbyshire police had earlier issued a warning to drivers, stating that officers would be issuing tickets to any dangerously parked vehicles at the site, including those parked on yellow lines, and that these vehicles may be towed. On Sunday morning (January 19), police were once again summoned to patrol the area and reported a 'high number of visitors' had descended on the area, with tickets being handed out to drivers who 'ignored' parking advice.

Hope Valley Police stated on Sunday: "It was another early start again this morning as local officers patrolled the area of Rushup Edge and Mam Tor attempting to keep the highways clear and safe for everyone to use. A high number of visitors arrived in the area early this morning, officers directed drivers to the best places to park and tickets have been issued to drivers who have ignored this advice."

"If you are visiting the area we urge you to not park on the double yellow lines around Mam Tor and respect the clearway in place on Winnats Pass and on the road from Mam Tor to Edale. These routes are vital roads which the local community rely on. Please keep them clear from obstructions," reports the Manchester Evening News.

Officers had also been called out the previous day, on Saturday (January 18) to manage the 'persistent parking issues' in the area, with parking facilities becoming 'overwhelmed'. A Derbyshire police statement added: "The influx of visitors in the early hours overwhelmed the limited parking facilities in the area. Both officers in vehicles and on foot worked for several hours to try and manage traffic flow and deter illegal and hazardous parking, a difficult task given the high volume of vehicles and visitors."

"Numerous tickets were issued along the designated "Clearway" on Winnats Pass, with additional enforcement by the council's Civil Parking Enforcement Officers on vehicles parked on or behind double yellow lines along the main road. These measures were implemented to ensure the safety of pedestrians and to facilitate the movement of traffic."

"The longstanding parking challenges at this location have been a point of concern for some time now, prompting ongoing communication and collaboration with our partners to try and find solutions to this issue."

One exasperated local took to social media, venting: "It's getting ridiculous now. What is wrong with these folk who think they have the right to park where they like, don't they think the police have enough to do without having to spend hours ticketing illegally parked cars?" Another added their voice to the chorus of frustration, saying: "You need to do this EVERY WEEKEND, and EVERY DAY during the school holidays. It has been getting worse ever since the Covid lockdowns were lifted."

Derbyshire police had previously made their stance clear, stating: "It is very simple - poor parking causes traffic issues that makes things very difficult for local people going about their day and, in the worst cases, can stop ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles being able to attend emergencies."

Meanwhile, Derbyshire County Council highlighted last week's chaos, revealing 'around 200 cars' had been abandoned along the road to Edale, hindering gritters. They urged: "Please do not add to the problems on these roads, and if you are parked up in the area please move your cars to a car park. We realise that people want to enjoy the Peak District but this level of parking is making the gritters job very difficult. And if we can't get through neither could buses, or fire engines."