Dangerous parking at Peak District beauty spot 'an accident waiting to happen'

Dangerous parking at a Peak District beauty spot is ‘an accident waiting to happen’, a concerned countryside-lover has claimed.
By Dan Hayes
Published 25th Jun 2020, 16:32 BST
Updated 25th Jun 2020, 16:33 BST

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Charles Pollard said poor parking in the National Trust car park at Curbar Edge in Derbyshire could soon cause a fatal collision if nothing is done about it

Yesterday, the police fined 30 motorists for parking dangerously near Padley Gorge in the Hope Valley, but Charles said the problem is far more widespread than that.

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He said: “The parking at Curbar Edge is just as dangerous but the police take no action apart from sending a drone overhead at the start of lockdown

Curbar Edge parking issues. Picture: Chris EtchellsCurbar Edge parking issues. Picture: Chris Etchells
Curbar Edge parking issues. Picture: Chris Etchells

“Every time I park in the National Trust car park to either walk or mountain bike I witness dangerous selfish parking on the road.

“The Highway Code states that you should not park on the brow of a hill, on a bend, or so as to impede the progress of an emergency vehicle.

“I have e-mailed the National Trust and they and other parties involved are aware of the problem but seem unable to get together and find a solution.”

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Charles says he has witnessed so many near misses involving drivers, walkers and cyclists he has tried to warn others using the online travel review website TripAdvisor.

Curbar Edge parking issues. Car park full at 12 noon. Picture: Chris EtchellsCurbar Edge parking issues. Car park full at 12 noon. Picture: Chris Etchells
Curbar Edge parking issues. Car park full at 12 noon. Picture: Chris Etchells

He added: “I have made several posts along the lines of ‘it’s an accident waiting to happen and ‘I hope something can be done about this situation’, but at the end of the day, what can an individual like myself do?

“Over the years I’ve witnessed many dangerous situations and a few times car drivers have got out and nearly come to blows.

“Only when there has been a serious or fatal accident will anything be done."

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Derbyshire Police yesterday fined 30 drivers near Padley Gorge for dangerous parking against double white lines in the centre of the road.

Curbar Edge parking issues. Car park full at 12 noon. Picture: Chris EtchellsCurbar Edge parking issues. Car park full at 12 noon. Picture: Chris Etchells
Curbar Edge parking issues. Car park full at 12 noon. Picture: Chris Etchells

Police said these road markings are only used on roads that are so dangerous that overtaking and parking is prohibited, due to the risk presented to road users.

Chief Inspector Becky Webster said that by parking in such areas, motorists put themselves and other road users in ‘serious danger’.

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