'Pop-up' car parks considered for Peak District

"Pop-up" car parks could be a solution to transport problems in the Peak District, according to the leader of the authority running the national park.

Phil Mulligan, CEO of the Peak District National Park Authority, said there was not enough parking in some areas to meet demand.

However, he said this did not excuse irresponsible behaviour and added the authority was looking at increasing parking capacity, as well as encouraging people to avoid hotspots, take public transport, and visit at off-peak times.

Last month, High Peak MP Jon Pearce said a "TikTok craze" was behind the "increasingly untenable" state of parking at beauty spots in the area.

In January, roads in the Peak District such as Winnats Pass and Rushup Edge, near Castleton in Derbyshire, were closed by police over "poor parking".

When asked if there was enough parking in the national park, Mr Mulligan said: "Probably not in some areas.

"We are looking at that and working in partnership about how provision can be increased. That does have to be done sensitively.

"There are opportunities for pop-up car parks as well."

The BBC understands the kind of places the authority is looking at includes farmers' fields.

The CEO also asked people to consider visiting other areas of the national park as well as popular spots, with social media users recently flocking to Mam Tor to see the sunrise and sunset.

Mr Mulligan said: "It's not just about that TikTok moment, that Instagram photo.

"The park is a wonderful place all over.

"So, do think about trying to spread out the visitor load. But when you do turn up, you do have to park responsibly.

"If you don't, we work in partnership with the highways authority, with the police, if anyone does obstruct the carriageway, they are likely to be towed."

He added: "We are working in partnership to try and increase provision where we can but you can't just create car parks all over the open landscape because then it wouldn't be the place people want to visit."

Mr Mulligan also asked people to try to take public transport, adding officials were also looking at increasing public transport provision.

"Secondly, think about when you are visiting - obviously there are popular times and days - if you can avoid those, parking is going to be easier," he said.

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