Derbyshire County Council re-open countryside car parks

Shops, cafes and visitor centres, hire of all-terrain mobility scooters and bikes, play equipment and outdoor gym equipment at the council’s countryside sites will all remain closed.

Toilets will not be re-opened, and there will be no ice cream vans or coffee concessions.

Visitors are asked to adhere to social distancing rules and stay at least two metres away from anyone from another household, to take any litter home, and to keep dogs on a lead.

If any of the council’s sites becomes too crowded for social distancing to be carried out then visitors numbers may have to be restricted.

Coun Simon Spencer, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: “We’ve taken the decision to re-open our car parks following the Government saying that people can now get out and about and drive.

“Our sites have been well used by people who live near them, and we hope that by opening up the car parks they can accommodate more people who wish to enjoy the fresh air.

“We would urge everyone to remain sensible and keep the appropriate distance from others in our parks. If we get too many people in at any one time we will have to look at restricting numbers.”

The council’s sites include Elvaston Castle, Black Rocks, High Peak Junction, Middleton Top, Grin Low, Shipley Country Park, Tapton Lock and Cromford Canal.

A full list is on the council’s website here.

All events at the council’s countryside sites remain cancelled until the end of August.

Car parking will remain free of charge for the time being.

At Shipley Country Park, the main car park won’t be open until May 19, as it is being used for a mobile coronavirus testing site.

Visitors can park at Mapperley car park, and disabled visitors can use the Shipley Hill car park.