Walkers' anger as Five Pits Trail car park to close

Walkers are furious that a car park which allows people to access a popular Derbyshire beauty spot may close.
Users protesting at the closure of the Five Pits Trail car park in HaslandUsers protesting at the closure of the Five Pits Trail car park in Hasland
Users protesting at the closure of the Five Pits Trail car park in Hasland

The temporary car park - just off Mansfield Road in Hasland - has been in use since shortly after the Five Pits Trail opened five years ago.

Now a sign has been put up saying the car park will close ‘imminently’ but giving no explanation as to why.

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Dave Morley, from Hasland, who has been using the car park several years, said: “I walk my dog from it, I park here when I go riding my bike and I do work with disadvantaged children so I use it when I come here with them as well.

Closure of the Five Pits Trail car park in HaslandClosure of the Five Pits Trail car park in Hasland
Closure of the Five Pits Trail car park in Hasland

“Two weeks ago they put a big sign up which said that the temporary planning permission for it had been withdrawn and it would be closing. People are very unhappy - I spoke to a guy in wheelchair who said he couldn’t understand it but people won’t complain.

“There is another car park further down the road but that will get double the amount of cars and fill up if this one closes.”

Dave said the car park was rumoured to have been targeted by anti-social behaviour - and that might be the reason for it’s closure - something Derbyshire County Council which maintains the car park has denied.

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Dave has now written to the planning department and is trying to contact county councillor Dave Allen.

Dog walkers using the Five Pits Trail at HaslandDog walkers using the Five Pits Trail at Hasland
Dog walkers using the Five Pits Trail at Hasland

In addition, a petition has been launched by other residents in the hope of saving it.

A spokesperson for the county council said: “This car park was only ever supposed to be temporary, while the work was carried out on the lagoons.

“That is now all finished so the car park will close. We haven’t set a date for the closure yet but have put up signs up to inform people that it will be happening shortly.

“There is an alternative car park at the other end of the country park on Birkin Lane.”