Residents fuming as North East Derbyshire placed under Tier 4

Residents, particularly living in Killamarsh and Dronfield, have expressed their frustrations as their neighbouring areas in South Yorkshire are placed under Tier 3.

Under tier 4 restrictions, non-essential shops, hairdressers, and leisure and entertainment venues must close, with a new “stay at home” message introduced.

However, people who need to travel for education or childcare are exempt, and exercise is unlimited.

A Killamarsh constituent said now he has to do an almost 20-mile round trip to Chesterfield to do his grocery shopping instead of going to Crystal Peaks in Sheffield.

He wrote: "But I can go to work in Sheffield? My daughter can go to school in Rotherham but only if she agrees to be tested, otherwise they won't let her go to school?"

A Dronfield resident said such a decision by the Government was not fair to the community and businesses who have been struggling to stay afloat since the start of the pandemic.

He wrote: "Mr Rowley I suggest you have a walk round Dronfield and other parts of North East Derbyshire and have a look, shops are shutting down, hair salons , barbers, cafes all now closed again , pubs have been shut up for months now .

"You are our representative! How is this fair to them or the community. I can’t even imagine the stress the business owners are going through!"

Another constituent said those in the Government need a lesson in geography.

"It looks like we have been dumped in Tier 4 to match Derby - which is as far away as Leeds.

"Meanwhile Sheffield three minutes away is staying in Tier 3? What are they going to do? Put a blockade at Meadowhead?"

A business owner, who has a salon in Killamarsh but lives in Sheffield, also said that the latest tier review has caused her an inconvenience.

She said she has now forced to shut her business and will have to temporarily go mobile for her clients.

Mr Rowley has been reached for comments but has yet to respond.