Gritters were left unable to navigate a road near a Peak District beauty spot due to hundreds of double-parked cars, causing frustration among local authorities and residents alike. Derbyshire County Council reported that their crews were blocked from accessing Rushup Edge and Man Nick on the route down to Edale, close to the popular hiking destination Mam Tor, which boasts stunning views over the Edale Valley towards Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moor.
The council took to social media to express their concerns, posting: “We have issues with cars double parked on Rushup Edge and Man Nick on the road down to Edale. Our gritters cannot get through with around 200 cars in the area.”
They urged motorists to move their vehicles, warning: “Please move your car if you are in the area. If we can’t get through neither would a bus or fire engine. Thanks.”
Read more: Customers livid with new Greggs charge
The public’s reaction was one of anger towards the thoughtless parking. One individual vented: “Today going past the yorkshire bridge towards ladybower cars parked on both edges on double yellow lines on the bends virtually all the way to the dam walls.”
They added, “It’s getting ridiculous. I’m local to the area and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.”, reports the Mirror.
Another suggested a more proactive approach: “Can’t the police help and get some of these cars towed away so their inconsiderate owners have a long walk home and an expensive time getting their cars back.”
A third person recounted their own experience: “Went to climb on Mam Tor face at 7.30 am – never thought the level of parking be so unbelievably stupid. Snow narrowed the road and double parking made it dangerous. Ill equipped people in trainers. Didn’t try to park. Went home.”
The nation is bracing for a continuation of the freezing conditions, immediately following an Arctic onslaught, with England seeing nine extraordinary ‘amber’ health alerts. Millions across the UK face another night of bitterly cold temperatures.
According to the Met Office, the UK recorded its lowest January temperatures in 15 years last night, with a drastic fall to -18.7C in Altnaharra in the far north of Scotland. Meanwhile, figures showed a plummet to -11C in Cumbria and a chill of -5C at Heathrow.
The severe cold has led the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue extended amber alerts for all of England until Tuesday, warning of the increased likelihood of deaths, especially among those over 65 or with existing health issues.
Zoe Hutin, a Met Office meteorologist, commented: “So another chilly night to come on Saturday, but then as we go into Sunday and into Monday, then we can start to expect temperatures to recover somewhat. I won’t rule out the risk of seeing something around or just below freezing again on Sunday night into Monday, but it won’t be quite so dramatic as the temperatures that we’re going to experience as we go overnight tonight.”