Fury as visitors to Peak District 'flouted social distancing, queued for ice creams and urinated in public'

Councillor Peter O’Brien, who represents Abney, Eyam, Grindleford and Hathersage on Derbyshire Dales District Council, said lay-bys and car parks were overflowing, people were flouting social distancing rules as long queues formed for ice cream vans, and visitors were ‘causing unsavoury scenes’ with public toilets closed.

He added that the volume of visitors on Sunday, May 17, meant that it had been impossible to enforce social distancing rules, with many locals too scared to venture out to buy essential items.

He said: ““The Government clearly gave little thought to the effect that their change in policy would have on local communities like ours in the Peak District. We just cannot cope with large numbers of visitors, and at the same time keep our residents safe from the threat of coronavirus - people are in despair. I’ve urged the County Council to only allow residents to park in village streets while we are going through this crisis, but so far they have not responded to my requests.

Local people are terrified that after all their efforts to stay safe at home, this influx of visitors will bring a second wave of Covid-19”

He added that the situation had been made even worse by a large number of motorbikers descending on the area, causing noise nuisance for residents.

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