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Pay and display at countryside sites
Parking charges are set to be brought in at countryside sites - but walkers fear the move will deter visitors.
New pay and display machines are planned for seven car parks across the county including Middleton Top Visitor Centre, Black Rocks in Cromford and High Peak Junction - and traffic wardens will be on site to enforce the charges.
Currently, visitors pay at honesty boxes at Middleton and Cromford and High Peak Junction is free.
Nick Stephens, chairman of Derbyshire Dales Ramblers, said the group would be protesting against the Derbyshire County Council plan.
He added: "Obviously we aren't happy about it. When there is an honesty box there I do persuade all of our members to put money in but if the charges come in we might meet somewhere else.
"If there are wardens onsite and you will be fined, I think a lot of people will find somewhere free to park or go to places that don't charge so in the long run the council might lose out."
The council hope the changes will produce an extra income of around 200,000 per year, which will be used to maintain car parks and fund the pay and display machines. Any excess will be put back into the countryside service.
The parking enforcement will cost around 89,000 each year but council chiefs expect this sum will be offset by the fines collected.
Matlock town and district councillor David Barker said he was a keen walker and was concerned about the charges.
He added: "My view is this makes walking expensive.
"Not only have you got to use petrol to get to the car park you then have to buy a ticket and if you're walking for four or five hours it will be more than 1 or so.
"The council may be short of money at the moment but walkers are also short of money."
A county council spokesman said: "There are not many places where you can park and have a day out for free. A small parking charge will help to maintain the services we provide.
"We'll soon be putting our proposals out for public consultation and local people and those who use our sites will have the opportunity to have their say."
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Weather for Bakewell
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
