The battle to reinstate coach parking in Matlock Bath saw partial victory on 9 December when Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) agreed to limit the Station Road facility’s use as a temporary traveller site to four months of the year.
The nine coach bays and 22 car parking spaces there have been inaccessible for over two years via occupation by travellers.
Following public consultation, six locations were put forward as temporary tolerated traveller sites. An extraordinary full council meeting agreed that provision would be made for the travellers to use Matlock Bath coach and car park from 1 November to 28 February for two years.
It also decided that similar provision would be made at three other locations as tolerated sites – two with stipulated dates of March to October. A week’s leeway will be allowed in the case of each restriction. DDDC says it is committed to finding longer-term permanent alternatives.
Peter Baranek, Chairman of Matlock Bath Parish Council, had launched a petition to restore the coach and car park to its originally intended use. He spoke at the meeting about the negative impact on the local economy of no coach parking in the village popular with tourists.
Reflecting on the outcome, he says: “We’re a step further forward, but we’re not at the end of the road yet. It’s no use saying to coach companies: ‘You can come between certain dates.’ Your schedule is 12 months of the year, you want to know you’ve got somewhere to come.”
Mr Baranek adds that the parish council’s next steps will be to try to ensure that the site has some availability for coach parking throughout the winter, possibly necessitating a redesign, and installation of infrastructure to ensure that only named travellers with an agreed connection to the local council can gain access.
Regarding the impact of the possible lack of coach tourism in the winter, he says: “If we can get coach companies to come back 12 months of the year – those four months, for some of the businesses that could be their only custom. A coach party arrives; if that’s 30 customers, that’s worth them opening. And they’ll come whatever the weather because they’ve already booked.” He believes DDDC should now incentivise coach operators back to the village, such as via free parking.
Andy Warrender, RHA Operations Manager-Coach says: “We, of course, welcome the return of coach parking to Matlock Bath, the withdrawal of which has had a negative impact on the local economy over the past couple of years.
“We are disappointed at the seasonal approach and this being restricted to the busier periods. This fails to assist either the efforts of resorts such as Matlock Bath to grow their visitor economy and extend it beyond the traditional summer season, the Christmas period for instance, nor does it help with the need for a more stable environment for the travelling community.
“We do appreciate there is still work to be done on the issues being addressed by this decision and will continue to engage positively with the local authorities and other stakeholders involved.”
Phil Smith, CPT UK Coach Manager, adds: “CPT had been working on behalf of members for many months regarding the coach parking situation in Matlock Bath.
“Whilst we recognise the challenges locally, it is important that local authorities recognise the value of coaches and make proper provision for them and their passengers. CPT’s recently published report on the economic value of coach services highlights that coach passengers spend £8.3 billion per year in local economies.
“Whilst we are disappointed that the District Council has decided to allow a temporary traveller site at Station Yard Car Park, Matlock Bath, we welcome the fact that occupation will be restricted to 1 November to 28 February, meaning that coach parking facilities should be available for the main tourist season.
“We shall continue to work with stakeholders to maintain and improve coach access in Matlock Bath and across the country, using our report to highlight the importance of coaches for local economies.”
