Derbyshire County Council ‘stumped’ by parking problems

More than 1,800 residents and businesses in Matlock were asked for their views in a survey which was delivered by Derbyshire County Council in June.

The purpose of the survey was to ask residents their opinion on a residents parking scheme, which would see them having to pay for a permit to park. It was thought up in a bid to alleviate the continued problems with parking around County Offices.

The scheme proved unpopular however, and of the responses received only 140 were in favour, with 577 against it.

Of the total number of households and businesses in the area only 7.7 per cent responded to say that they were in favour of a residents’ parking scheme, with 92.3 per cent either not in favour or did not return the questionnaire.

There were mixed views from the roads closest to County Hall. Only seven responses were received from Hopewell Road, four in favour and three against. Smedley Street East, with 20 responses had ten in favour and ten against and Bank Road with six in favour and five against.

The council’s deputy cabinet member for jobs, economy and transport, Councillor Andy Botham said: “I’m stumped.

“It’s a difficult balance to have, I don’t think it’s ever going to be resolved.”

He explained that the council has incentives already in place to discourage employees from using their cars, such as car share schemes and discounted bus travel, however they couldn’t force employees to use them.

Cllr Botham added that while the council does have planning permission for further parking at its Chatsworth Hall site, it did not currently have the money to do this.

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