Derbyshire’s first red routes are to be introduced in the Castleton and Mam Tor area as part of new measures aimed at improving road safety, managing traffic flow and keeping access clear for emergency vehicles.
Work to install the red routes will not begin until after Tuesday 5 May, but lining and signing for new parking arrangements in Castleton is due to start on Monday 27 April.
The measures follow around a decade of discussions about inconsiderate parking involving the parish council, residents and Derbyshire County Council. Visitor numbers to the area have continued to grow, and a public consultation was held last year. The council said two thirds of respondents either made suggestions or supported the proposed restrictions.
The red routes will use double red lines to show that vehicles must not stop or park on the road, verge or pavement behind the lines.
They will be introduced on Old Mam Tor Road, off the A6187 Buxton Road; Old Mam Tor Road to Blue John Cavern; Rushup Edge Road to Rushup Edge Farm; and Winnats Pass to Sparrowpit.
The restrictions will apply to all motorists, including licensed taxis and Blue Badge holders. Temporary information notices will be placed along the routes. Drivers who fail to comply could face a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Cllr Charlotte Hill, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, said the authority had tried to balance the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
She said: “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.”
Other parking changes are also being introduced in Castleton, including new double yellow lines on How Lane, Weaving Avenue, Bargate, Back Street, Castle Street, Pindale Road, Milbridge and Hollowford Road.
Blue Badge bays on Back Street and Castle Street, next to St Edmund’s Church, will operate again between 9am and 5pm every day, with a maximum stay of three hours and no return within one hour.
Parking bays at the lower end of Old Mam Tor Road will become pay-by-phone only. Three bays on the south side of Buxton Road will also allow payment by coin, card and contactless through two new solar-powered pay-and-display machines.
Each bay will have a maximum stay of four hours, with no return within one hour, and will operate between 9am and 5pm daily. Outside those times, the bays will be free and unrestricted.
Derbyshire County Council said the changes are intended to encourage shorter stays and help more people stop and use facilities in Castleton.
The new parking machines and pay-by-phone signs are due to be installed in July. Enforcement will not begin until the changes to signing and lining have been completed.
