Free parking is to be extended

A FREE parking initiative for Derbyshire Dales residents is to be extended by an hour meaning local people can park without charge for 20 hours every day of the year.

The 2024/25 resident parking concession permit, which will be posted out to every Dales household with Council Tax bills this week, will enable local people to park free every day of the year up to 11am and after 3pm in Derbyshire Dales District Council car parks.

The Progressive Alliance administration has extended the free parking window, which currently starts at 4pm.

Council Leader Councillor Steve Flitter, together with Deputy Leaders Councillors

Neil Buttle and Peter Slack, is a member of the Council Car Parks Working Group that recommended the parking hours extension.

He said: “When we came into power in May last year we pledged to look at new ideas in the way we operate our car parks.

“They are a vital income stream for this authority and we have to bear in mind that fees and charges are the biggest contributor to our annual budget - more even than council tax income.

“But we have already carried out a public survey into the way the residents’ permit works and we will continue to look at ways of making better use of the 40 car parks we operate.

“We are determined to consider the needs of local people and support local business and will publish the results of the first stage of a review of our car parks - and new recommendations - in the near future.”

Each Dales household receives one free resident concession permit every year.