Danger parkers were the biggest draw on police time in 2020
INCONSIDERATE DRIVERS WHO IGNORED ROAD SAFETY MARKINGS AND NO PARKING SIGNS AT BEAUTY SPOT ARE CRITICISED BY CHIEF
THE biggest drain on police time in South Derbyshire last year was dozyparker drivers who caused major safety issues at Foremark Reservoir, it has been revealed.
During the summer officers had to spend hours and hours over many weeks patrolling Repton Road, outside the popular Derbyshire beauty spot - as drivers ignored the rules and parked dangerously on the road. It led to cops handing out dozens of fines.
A heatwave coupled with the end of the first lockdown saw thousands of visitors flock to the beauty spot. They caused a massive headache for officers from the safer neighbourhood teams at Derbyshire Police.
Due to the influx of visitors, the car park was often full meaning inconsiderate drivers would ignore the obvious dangers and park their cars on the grass verges on the narrow Repton Road, on a blind bend causing traffic issues that could have resulted in an accident.
Cars were parked up on grass verges either side of the narrow road, making it difficult for other drivers to squeeze past. The road has solid white central lines near the reservoir, meaning cars should not overtake and cross the white lines due to the danger. However, passing motorists had to drive in the middle of the 60mph speed limit road due to the volume of cars parked there.
Locals living near the beauty spot told of their frustration at the visitors inconsiderate behaviour.
At the time, police issued warnings to people to turn back and go home if the reservoir car park was full. Officers were so frustrated as people ignored the warning they and even threatened to close the road at one point.
When asked by the Burton Mail if there was a stand-out incident for police last year, Inspector Christopher Thornhill, who is in charge of policing in South Derbyshire, said it had been the parking problems at Foremark due to the sheer demand on police time.
He said: “There were no additional officers or overtime needed but our teams had to go there and rather than just deal with one incident it was necessary for them to stay there for an extended period of time.
“When officers are carrying out that work it means they cannot do anything they would need to do. They would go to them but it means they got there later.
“[When lockdown is eased] I would ask that people stay within government guidelines at the time.
“Everyone is entitled to use these spots but if you get there and there is no parking then find an alternative place to visit because parking in these places does cause a risk on the road.
“Have some thought about what the situation is.
“People have to have consideration of the circumstances.
“If we see issues we will put these on our social media accounts which people can monitor. They may even decide to reconsider going.”
Foremark Reservoir is run by Severn Trent, which also urged people to turn around if the car park is full and visit at a less busy time. The reservoir is popular all year round to walkers, but in summer people flock to sit by the edge of the water to picnic.