Anger as north Derbyshire town hit by 'unfair' parking ban

A new parking system introduced to enhance social distancing in a north Derbyshire town has been labelled ‘unfair’.
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Business owners on Chesterfield Road, Dronfield, say the ban on parking outside their premises is hitting trade by reducing footfall and discouraging elderly people from visiting the street.

It follows seven weeks of gas works on Chesterfield Road which has also hampered the stores as they try to recover from the coronavirus lockdown.

Dronfield shop owners have criticised new parking measures introduced by Derbyshire County Council. Pictured are Julie Watson, Sharon Gordon, Tyler Hopkinson, and Keren Baines.Dronfield shop owners have criticised new parking measures introduced by Derbyshire County Council. Pictured are Julie Watson, Sharon Gordon, Tyler Hopkinson, and Keren Baines.
Dronfield shop owners have criticised new parking measures introduced by Derbyshire County Council. Pictured are Julie Watson, Sharon Gordon, Tyler Hopkinson, and Keren Baines.
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Derbyshire County Council says it is dealing with an ‘unprecedented situation’ and will reinstate some of the parking spaces this week.

Keren Baines, of podiatry business The Dronfield Foot Clinic, said: “We small businesses need all the help we can get at the moment to keep going – not obstacles to make it harder for us.

"If this was a blanket approach across the whole area then at least it would be fair but our shopping area seems to have been singled out.

“Most of my customers are elderly so parking outside is crucial. For the other shops it affects their passing trade. If you can’t park in an area you generally won’t shop there.”

Dronfield shop owners are angry about new parking measures introduced by Derbyshire County Council.Dronfield shop owners are angry about new parking measures introduced by Derbyshire County Council.
Dronfield shop owners are angry about new parking measures introduced by Derbyshire County Council.
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Keren says the parking measures ‘just appeared one morning’ without any warning from the council or consultation.

She added: "The shopping area on the High Street has far narrower pavements but no social distancing measures have been put in place in this area, although I’m not suggesting that they put them there obviously.

"It feels like we’re being singled out unfairly and they are really bashing us at the moment.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We invited businesses and the wider community to give us feedback on the measures we put in place to help keep people safe – and we’ve listened.

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"Work will be carried out this week to reinstate some of the parking spaces we used to create additional space for pedestrians to social distance.

“This is an unprecedented situation and it’s important that we strike the right balance between providing sufficient parking for local businesses and ensuring people can social distance safely.”

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