Weekend of gridlocked chaos in Peak District due to selfish parking

Derbyshire: Over the weekend, the Peak District was a total mess. Tourists flocked to the area, but many parked like they didn’t have a clue. This led to gridlock on Winnats Pass and Rushup Edge, forcing the police to step in and close off parts of the road.

People were trying to snap photos at Mam Tor and The Great Ridge, but without proper winter gear, it was a recipe for disaster. The Hope Valley Police reported that around 30 cars were parked illegally, and 21 of those were set to get tickets.

Some cars even had to be towed away. By Sunday evening, the roads were finally reopened, but not before a lot of hassle. The council reminded everyone to drive safely, especially with the cold weather still hanging around.

One cyclist, Valerio Stuart, shared his experience of the chaos. He was shocked to see so many abandoned vehicles during his ride. He mentioned that while snowy conditions are rare, bad parking is a common sight in the Peak District.

Valerio helped push a couple of drivers out of trouble and saw a campervan struggling to get out of a tricky spot. He usually avoids driving there because parking is such a hassle, but the unreliable train service makes it tough to use public transport.

He even posted videos of the chaos on Instagram, which quickly went viral. The footage showed cars trying to navigate the icy roads and traffic jams at the top of the hill. The police acknowledged the ongoing parking issues in the area and took action to clear the mess.

They had to temporarily close the top of Winnats Pass to manage the situation. Local residents have been raising concerns about illegal parking, especially since many double-yellow lines were hidden under snow. The police assured everyone they’re working on the problem while juggling their other duties.