The coach park in the popular inland resort of Matlock Bath has been closed for over 2 years. It has been designated a temporary tolerated traveller site (TTTS) by the District Council who own and manage the car park. The nine coach parking spaces and 22 adjacent car parking spaces have been used for the traveller site for the last 24 months. As a result, many prospective visitors to the village just drive through and the businesses in the village, most of whom rely on visitors for their livelihood, have been struggling.

Derbyshire Dales District Council have undertaken a public consultation on possible future sites to house these travellers, one of which is the coach park. The results of the survey are being analysed and the District Council make a decision on future TTTSs in late November. The Parish Council would like the support of as many of the 1.1 million visitors a year to our village to write to the council and sign our petition below. 

Coaches are an eco friendly way of transporting large numbers of visitors, less traffic, less pollution. This type of travel should be promoted by local authorities not blocked. The lack of parking results in congestion on the main A6, especially at the junction to the car park and long queues and tailbacks. This causes frustration to other road users as well and is hardly eco-friendly! 

We need as many letters of complaint as possible speaking against the continued use of the coach and car park for purposes other than parking.

The Parish Council realises how important a thriving coach and car park is to both the prosperity of the village and the environment.

Letters of objection to the site being used as a temporary tolerated traveller site go to travellers@derbyshiredales.gov.uk with a copy to clerk@matlockbathparishcouncil.gov.uk   

Complaints re lack of parking/ incidents on the coach and car park go to: https://selfserve.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=32&k=AD6E4CBCB4ABCC5FAE54352C718B12CFDC6DD982 where you can fill in the official form

Please read the updates below for further information.

And finally please sign our petition!! Donations are optional

Many thanks in anticipation of your help and support in our important struggle.

Our petition wording is simple:

I call on Derbyshire Dales District Council to:
1. Urgently restore all of the Station Car and Coach Park to its proper use.
2. Take all possible precautions to ensure that the Station Car and Coach Park’s future users will only  be tourists, residents and rail passengers.