Double red lines have appeared in a number of popular hiking areas around the Peak District for the first time after badly-parked cars caused nightmares for locals and hampered emergency services
London-style double red lines are being installed to clamp down on antisocial motorists in a major national park.
Derbyshire County Council said the new measure – which will see drivers banned from stopping or parking at any time – is designed to end “parking chaos” in some of the Peak District’s most popular spots.
Locals had complained of day-trippers leaving roads impassable by double parking and abandoning vehicles on busy days, while a number of serious incidents have even resulted in emergency services being delayed due to badly placed vehicles blocking the route. It’s hoped the red lines, painted ahead of the upcoming bank holiday weekend, will make life easier for both residents and visitors.
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The lines ban all stopping by any vehicles at any time, including licensed taxis and Blue Badge holders. Motorists who park on verges behind double red lines and the pavement will also be subject to a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Unlike double yellow lines, which often require a warden to observe a car “waiting” for five minutes or more, any car found parking on red lines can be given an instant fine. They are most often seen along major routes in London, though have been adopted by local authorities in a few other UK cities, including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leeds.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said that crews had begun to paint the lines in Castleton and around Mam Tor “between the spells of bad weather”.
She said: “With these measures, we have listened carefully and tried to balance the needs of local people, business and visitors to this beautiful part of our county.
“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 double-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.
“We would like to thank Castleton Parish Council for their help to develop the proposals, and the patience of wider local community and businesses.”
Many locals have welcomed the move – but warned it would need to be actively enforced to make any different.
One wrote on Facebook: “Its fine painting them, but who’s enforcing them? Double yellows and double whites still get ignored.” Another penned: “They have only one small car park in this area, why do they not increase parking??”
The Peak District, which became Britain’s first ever national park when it was designated in 1951, is estimated to attract between 13 million and 14 million visitors each year.
