Visitors to top Derbyshire Dales destination Matlock Bath are being reminded that parking charges in the village's three council car parks have been reduced to just £2.50 all day until the end of March next year.
The reminder comes during a week when access to the village from the south on the A6 is not possible due to emergency tree removal works being carried out by Derbyshire County Council in the area below Masson Mills.
The price drop in Derbyshire Dales District Council's 241-space Station car park, 195-space Temple Walk car park and 36-space Pavilion car park is designed to attract more off-season visitors to Matlock Bath, famed for its regional attractions, riverside walks, eateries, shops and arcades.
The 149-space Artists' Corner between Matlock and Matlock Bath is included in the discounted offer.
District Council Leader Councillor Steve Flitter said:
"Matlock Bath traders need support now and throughout the winter months when the A6 returns to normal.
“Car parking revenue remains incredibly important to this authority, amounting to around £2.76 million last year, which is a key reason fees and charges now fund a bigger percentage of the services we provide for local people than, for example, Council Tax.
"But we have recognised the potential to attract more people into Matlock Bath to boost the local visitor economy off season by reducing car park charges. And this of course follows on from the incredibly popular Matlock Bath Illuminations, which we as a District Council are proud to organise every autumn."
The seasonal parking charge in Matlock Bath was part of a package of new measures introduced by the District Council's Progressive Alliance leadership earlier this year, which included allowing vehicles to park for up to 30 minutes free in selected council town centre car parks in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock and Wirksworth.
In addition, a new flat rate all-day tariff now applies at car parks in the villages of Eyam, Over Haddon and Hartington, plus Ashbourne's Cattle Market and Matlock's Town Hall rear.
For Derbyshire Dales residents, these incentives come on top of free parking with their resident permit in all the District Council's car parks before 11am and after 3pm every day of the year.
- Matlock Bath also benefits from an hourly train service operated by East Midlands Railways from Derby and Nottingham along the Derwent Valley Line Monday to Saturday and, on Sundays, every two hours in the morning and every hour from early afternoon until late evening.
- Apart from during the current road closure, the 6.1 bus service also operates hourly throughout the day including late evening services on Saturdays between Derby, Belper, Wirksworth, Matlock Bath, Matlock and Bakewell.
