'Park responsibly' bank holiday day-trippers urged

People are attracted to places like The Roaches for their stunning scenery, and it gets especially busy at weekends and during bank holidays

Business owners and other residents have urged people to park responsibly when visiting areas of the Peak District over the bank holiday weekend.

While people were encouraged to enjoy the countryside, some have raised fears the extra traffic and disruption over the weekend could have a lasting negative impact.

Colin Clamp, general manager of Gradbach Mill, which hosts large events such as weddings and also includes a coffee shop, said narrow lanes can quickly become blocked at busy periods.

He said whilst walkers at The Roaches and Lud's Church helped boost trade, facilities in the area were quite limited.

"We can't stop people coming, and we shouldn't either – it's a beautiful area and people want to enjoy it," he said.

There had been discussions about painting double yellow lines on local roads, he added, but it was felt enforcement would not necessarily be feasible.

He said farmers had started opening fields during the summer holidays to provide additional parking, alleviating some pressure on rural lanes.

Castleon, in Derbyshire, is another part of the Peak District where parking can often cause problems for locals

Although bank holidays were a particular busy period, increasing visitor numbers were becoming a year-round issue, Mr Clamp said.

This was echoed by resident Marie Frodsham, who said she did not begrudge anybody wanting to enjoy into the countryside, but that some were parking "like absolute idiots".

"[They're] making a single track road where two cars can pass relatively easily if they're able to pull in, to a single track road where people are having to reverse back a mile or half a mile just so people can get through," she said.

'Leave no trace'

She urged people to use public transport, and called for there to be more facilities – such as toilets, or park and ride schemes – to help ease pressure on the countryside.

Sarah Davison, from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said as well as causing congestion, visitors parking on verges could restrict access for emergency services.

"Due to drought, there's a really high risk of wildfires so we need to make sure fire engines have access at all times," she said.

She urged people to be mindful of the impact of their visit, and "leave no trace".