Peak District National Park: Charges to apply at 13 more car parks

Minninglow is one of the sites where parking will no longer be free

Charges are set to apply at 13 more car parks in the Peak District National Park.

From Monday, payment machines will go live at the car parks, including at Minninglow, Thorpe Station, Narlows Lane and Hooks Carr.

It now means only 13 of the Peak District National Park Authority's 44 car parks will remain free of charge.

The authority said the changes followed a consultation, with the charges expected to generate about £146,000.

Other locations affected include Upper Burbage, Dennis Knoll, Alstonefield, Blore Pastures, Milldale, Friden and Derwent Outlook.

During last year's consultation, the authority said their fees remained in line with or lower than other providers in the national park.

'Significant cost increases'

A spokesperson said based on projections, the additional sites would generate just under £146,000, adding funds would be invested back into facilities such as maintenance and public toilets.

They added: "We recognise everyone is still facing an ongoing cost of living challenge and every pound and penny in the pocket is valuable to those visiting the Peak District.

"Unfortunately, our own costs for maintaining car parks and providing free facilities at many of these locations such as public toilets and 35 miles of our all-user accessible trails are also bearing significant cost increases.

"This should also be seen in the context of a 'real terms' cut to our overall Authority budget of some 40% over the last decade, meaning we have much less resource to manage the same level of operations."

A full list of charges can be found on the authority's website, with blue badge holders still able to continue to park in designated bays for free.

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