Controversial parking changes at Matlock Bath expected to be given green light

Councillors will discuss the proposed on-street parking changes to Dale Road, North Parade and South Parade at a Derbyshire County Council cabinet meeting on May 3, at County Hall, Matlock.

During the public consultation, a petition against the changes was signed by more than 7,700 people and a protest ride was attended by thousands of bikers on March 6.

Matlock Bath is popular with motorcyclists, who tend to stop at the location on their way to the Peak District, generating income for the businesses nearby.

North and South Parades and Dale Road North currently have free short stay parking bays with a one-hour limit between 8am and 6pm. The new proposals state that the existing free one-hour limited waiting is to be changed to pay and display for a maximum stay of two hours and four hours respectively.

The prices for cars will be: up to one hour, £1.30; up to two hours, £2.20; up to three hours, £3.30 and up to four hours, £4.40.

The prices for motorcycles will be: up to one hour, £0.50; up to two hours, £1.00; up to three hours, £1.50 and up to four hours, £2.00.

The scrapping of the free one-hour stay on North and South Parades and Dale Road will mean bikers will choose to avoid Matlock Bath, leaving some businesses out of pocket, the bikers say.

The council say the proposed changes are to “provide a better balanced parking provision in the town”.