First 'red routes' among draconian measures to tackle Peak District parking in 75th year
It is often regarded as the most accessible of the national parks...
The Peak District National Park, which has just celebrated its 75th anniversary, has never been more loved by visitors - who mostly come by car.
Launched on April 17, 1951, with foundations set by a group of pioneering ramblers, today it attracts 13m visitors a year.
Close to Sheffield - a third of the city is actually in the Peak - Manchester and many other towns and cities, it is often regarded as the most accessible of the national parks.
The Mam Tor popularity problem
In Castleton, double red lines are being installed in areas overwhelmed by visitors.
Roads around Mam Tor and Blue John Cavern, and on Old Mam Tor Road, are this month being turned into London-style ‘red routes’, which ban stopping, backed by a £70 fine.
Derbyshire County Council says they are necessary to ensure safety, control traffic and allow access for emergency vehicles.
Police frequently dish out dozens of parking tickets around Mam Tor, which is famous on social media.
In January last year, a reported 200 cars were double-parked on Rushup Edge below Mam Tor during heavy snowfall, blocking access for gritters and emergency vehicles attempting to aid an injured walker in Edale.
The council says the unprecedented step comes after a ‘decade of discussions’ with the parish council and residents - and as visitor numbers continue to grow.
In Castleton itself, double yellow lines were extended to the outskirts of the village last month.
Coun Charlotte Hill, cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, said they tried to balance the needs of local people, business and visitors.
She added: “It’s essential residents can rely on emergency and other services to reach them no matter the time of day, which can be difficult when people have doubled parked or blocked driveways.
“At the same time, we want to encourage sustainable visitor numbers, reduce congestion and deliver the best outcome to what is one of the most highly visited and outstanding areas in Derbyshire.”
Derbyshire and South Yorkshire Police also play a big part in controlling where cars are left. Both forces aim to deter poor parking by slapping tickets on windscreens and then publicising it on social media.
Visitor hotspots around Sheffield, including Padley Gorge and Bradfield, are regularly targeted, with many motorists falling victim to little-known rules around white lines.
Last month officers fined numerous misbehaving motorists who parked on roads with a solid white line in the centre of the carriageway.
Police published photos of lines of vehicles on Main Road, Grindleford, Padley Gorge, near the Longshaw estate, and Leadmill Bridge near Hathersage.
Posting on Facebook, they said “all” the vehicles had parked near a sign advising them of the offence.
Parking on or directly opposite a solid white line system, particularly double solid white lines, is illegal in the UK and can result in a £100 fine and up to three penalty points.
Solid white lines indicate dangerous areas or narrow roads, often prohibiting stopping. Exceptions exist for stopping to load or unload or pick up passengers, but parking is generally forbidden.
Not just ‘honeypots’
But police don’t just target the honeypots. The tiny hamlet of Alport south of Bakewell received their attention earlier this month.
Officers wrote that cars had contravened the white line system on Alport Lane, despite signs warning of the offence.
They added: “Sadly, even with these signs in place motorists still commit offences putting themselves and other road users at risk.
“This is the reason that the Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to enforce the prohibition of parking at these locations where a white line system is present.”
The third player in the parking game is the Peak District National Park Authority, which has almost 2,000 spaces across 44 sites ‘that allow you to park safely and avoid damaging landscape and habitats’.
In recent years it has started charging at more car parks, while plugging its new annual parking pass.
The authority does not hide the fact that it is due to a recent reduction in grant funding for national parks.
Near Sheffield, Burbage Bridge and Hook’s Car at Stanage Edge, went paid-for in 2024.
Upperdale, which has a handful of spaces beside the River Wye near Monsal, was changed recently, prompting outrage from one visitor.
Kate Green green wrote on Facebook that she was “dumbfounded.”
She added: “Just drove down to the little parking spot by the river at Upperdale and to my horror not only have the Peak District National Park put up a disgusting barbed wire fence, they are charging for the tiny parking area!
“I’ve been coming to this special place for decades. Yet more profiteering even here. That’s the sick neocon capitalist world we live in. Well that’s the end of that - not paying I’m afraid.”
Many people disagreed with her viewpoint.
Phyllis Mason responded: “The Peak Park has been robbed of its funding for 20 years or more. Ranger numbers are decimated. Finger posts, stiles, foot bridges, litter picking, fire watch, all at a low. Toilets get vandalised.
“It's no wonder they have to scratch around for alternative funding. We get inundated with visitors throughout the year, and they all need facilities.”
Kirsty Roberts said: “Get the annual pass - it’s not that expensive if you’re in the area a lot and can use any of the national park car parks with it.”
The private sector also plays a role with several pay-and-display sites offering hundreds of spaces in Castleton alone - just get there early.
The plans come after Sheffield’s first ‘red route’ was announced, aiming to prevent cars blocking a new cycle lane and to improve bus journey times.
More than a mile of red lines, from Attercliffe to the Arena ,will ban parking, loading and waiting 24-hours a day.