Peak District bus service reinstated despite concerns over illegal parking by day-trippers

The 173 service through Cressbrook, in the Peak District National Park, was under threat after operators Hulleys of Baslow criticised tourists for ‘illegal parking’ which was preventing its buses getting through safely.

The company initially pledged to re-route its buses but was forced into a quick U-turn by Derbyshire County Council.

A local councillor says the problem is cars being parked in a ‘thoughtless’ way on the route to Cressbrook from Monsal Head – which left the bus having to wait for vehicles to be moved.

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Councillor Clare Gamble, member for Litton and Longstone on Derbyshire Dales District Council, said it was a ‘new problem’, which was ‘undoubtedly down to the increase in visitor numbers to the Monsal Trail and Monsal Dale’.“Cressbrook is typical of rural villages in Derbyshire that have no shops, post office or bank, so people are reliant on bus services if unable to drive, and that service is how children get to school,” Coun Gamble said.

"I would urge Derbyshire County Council to consider better signage at that spot to deter people from parking on the clearway. A clearway sign is not sufficient, people need to be warned parking on a clearway is illegal and they risk their car being towed away.

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“I would urge visitors to Derbyshire to think about how they park. This problem is not restricted to Cressbrook. Many areas including Hathersage are having their own problems.”

Hulleys has now urged anyone who see illegal parking on its routes to report it on 01629 538671.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said the authority subsidises the cost of running the service so ‘it shouldn’t have been withdrawn without talking to us first’, but confirmed County Hall would work with the company.

“There is already a clearway in place in the area and we will issue parking tickets to vehicles we see parked on it,” she said.

“We’d like to remind motorists to check signage before they park so they are aware of any restrictions in place and to park sensibly and considerately in areas where parking is permitted.”

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