Why Chesterfield town centre road closures could result in 'hefty fines' from Ravenside Retail Park

Derbyshire County Council has closed South Place – along with Corporation Street and Crow Lane – to traffic after receiving £443,000 from the government to put social distancing measures in place and encourage cycling and walking.

County Hall initially said South Place ‘has been closed off to make more space for people to walk from Ravenside retail park into the town’.

However, the retail park has controversial measures in place which issue tickets to anyone who parks at the site but then leaves on foot.

Phil Court, who fought a lengthy battle to get a fine from Ravenside overturned last year, said: “I know people still park there and walk into town so I warned all my family and friends not to do it.

“What amused me about the recent development was that Councillor Simon Spencer can make the statement ‘South Place has been closed off to make more space for people to walk from Ravenside retail park into the town’.

“It is an expensive place to park to get some exercise!”

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In a revised statement, the county council now says South Place has been closed off to make more space for people to walk from ‘Ravenside retail park and other areas’ into the town centre.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins said he had first heard about the road closures when he read about them in the Derbyshire Times.

"If the county council had spoken to me, I could have made them aware of the extensive work I have done regarding the parking tickets issued at Ravenside Retail Park and let them know why the suggestion that people walk to town from there is sending out a message that could lead to people receiving fairly hefty fines,” the Labour MP said.

"The county council need to be working with me, the borough council, town centre businesses and local groups, to ensure any changes or closures are not causing unnecessary problems.”

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