'Red routes’ to ban stopping at tourist hotspot near Sheffield - backed by £70 fine

The first double red lines in the Peak District are being installed at a beauty spot plagued by parking.

London-style ‘red routes’, which ban stopping, will be painted on roads around Mam Tor and Blue John Cavern near Castleton, backed by £70 fines.

Old Mam Tor Road, which leads out of Castleton, will also get double reds. The road was closed in the 1970s due to landslips.

Today it is hugely popular as an overnight stop for campervans - which will now be banished.

Derbyshire County Council says red routes are necessary to ensure safety, control traffic and allow access for emergency vehicles.

Police frequently dish out dozens of parking tickets around Mam Tor as hundreds of people climb the hill, which is famous on social media.

In January last year, a reported 200 cars were double-parked on Rushup Edge near Mam Tor during heavy snowfall, blocking access for gritters and emergency vehicles attempting to aid an injured walker in Edale.

Derbyshire County Council says the drastic measures come after a ‘decade of discussions’ with the parish council and residents - and as visitor numbers continue to grow.

It is set to use £250,000 in transport funding from the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The red routes, which will be installed from Wednesday, May 6, apply to all motorists, including taxis and Blue Badge holders.

Meanwhile, double yellow lines will be extended to the outskirts of Castleton itself from Monday, April 27.

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Coun Charlotte Hill, cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, said: “With these measures we have listened carefully and tried to balance the needs of local people, business and visitors to this beautiful part of our county.

“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 doubled 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.

“We would like to thank Castleton Parish Council for their help to develop the proposals, and the patience of the wider local community and businesses.”

The red route at Castleton will extend from Mam Tor along Rushup Edge Road to Rushup Edge Farm and from Winnats Pass to Sparrowpit.

Sheffield’s first red route is being installed in Attercliffe to keep buses running and protect a new bike lane.

Responding to Derbyshire County Council online, Mike Hope said: “How to drive people away. So when the shops in Castleton start saying takings are down and nobody is coming to visit what you going to do then?”

Chris Hanley said: “Parking fines £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Hardly a deterrent for a car of 4 or 5 day trippers.”

And Alice LaMalice said she wasn’t sure why Old Mam Tor Road was included, saying parking there “wasn’t an issue.”