Parking charge plan is scrapped

Parking Chages: The County Council are proposing to make changes to the parking charges on North and South Parade in Matlock Bath.

Two petitions were lodged opposing plans for a pay-and-display scheme along North Parade, South Parade and Dale Road – receiving a combined total of 6,520 signatures.

Among the signatories were Matlock Bath traders, who claimed it would lead to fewer people visiting the area and parting with their cash.

Scores of bikers who regularly descend upon Matlock Bath also signed the petition.

Derbyshire County Council’s strategic director for environmental services, Ian Stephenson, confirmed the proposal has been axed.

Tony Christodoulou, manager of Promenade Fish Bar, in North Parade, said : “The bikers were saying they would have to go elsewhere and I was worried I would lose customers. It would have been stupid to charge people to park.”

The council had stood to rake in an estimated £75,000 a year if the new pay-and-display charges had gone ahead.

Cllr Simon Spencer said: “Some people in the village wanted it, others didn’t and others wanted a different proposal. Until we’ve looked at all the implications of any change, a wise decision has been taken not to continue with the proposal at this time.”