Peak District Charges

[Paul8]

So the BBC news tells us this morning that a congestion charge may be put in place in the peak district to cut down on traffic going there? They are not even sure if they are to offer residents a discount.

So I wonder what the charge for an outfit will be? And do you have to pay everyday as you leave and return to the site if it's within the proposed charge zone?

I see why it's being done- but to be honest I can't remember a time I have been stuck in a jam in this area?

Any thoughts??

 

[RichardH]

I think it will kill the tourist industry in the pek district and places like the yorkshire moors and the lake district will be rubbing their hands together. Charging in London is one thing as its added to business costs and passed to the consumer that way, but charger extra for peoples holidays will always make them look at going elsewhere

 

[CliveV]

After many years of having free carparks in my town on the edge of the New Forest we had carpark charges introduced a few years ago. Residents can buy a yearly "ticket" for

 

[RogerL]

Residents and tourist businesses in National Parks and other popular places need to have a big dicussion on how to attract visitors without ripping them (us) off.

Congestion is bad, for residents and visitors, but simply charging for access isn't the answer - too many of us will take our custom elsewhere, where it's genuinely welcomed.

 

[coljac]

Clive ,It will not happen .The clowns who run the local authorities up here ,dont have the brains to administer such a system . the local tourist industry who employ a lot of local people will tell the elected clowns to think again .

coljac

 

[CliveV]

I certainly hope so. My wife went Christmas shopping in Salisbury yesterday, where the car parking charges are scandalous and the city centre shops were virtualy empty.

However, the out of town shopping places (Tesco, Commet, B&Q, Currys, Waitrose, PC World, etc) with free parking were heaving.

 

[Eddie1FromNottingham]

Paul,

I live on the edge of the Peak Park and also have a Business there. The article covered by the BBC has taken everyone here by surprise. Although for many years there has been many suggestions on how to control the number of visitor vehicles nothing positive has been decided. Rest assured that those of us in a position to influence the Peak Park Board will be doing so. At this stage no consultation at all has been done. This is a very complex issue and simply scare mongering does not help, as there are as many people for some kind of control as against. Clearly I have a vested interest as my Business is Tourist related and I caravan here just as much as anywhere else. Regarding the comment on "never stuck in a Traffic Jam". It is true to say that on the major Routes very few problems occur and maybe if you are visiting, Towing, or otherwise you see very little of the real issues. The conjested areas are in the Villages off the beaten track where even out of season people descend, park and go off walking all day some times causing grid lock and clearly resentment with us locals. Very often people choose to park on the verge or road side even when there is space in the Pay and display Car Parks! And these Days this is not just at the Weekends. Lkewise in places like Bakewell at peak times major Traffic conjestion occures with the A6 Trunk road comming to a standstill, clearly these ancient Towns where never intended to carry Twenty First century Traffic. Finally to make it clear I am opposed to the conjestion Charging or anything else that would deter visitors, but common sense dictates that at some time in the future all the issues regarding the Peak Park have to be addressed, I just hope that it is to the satisfaction of everyone.The Peak Park Board used to boast "visit the Peak the view is Free". Lets hope it stays that way.

Eddie from Nottinghamshire