Peak district beauty spots littered with disgusting scenes

Images are emerging of some of the Peak District’s most picturesque beauty spots strewn with litter, abandoned barbecues and dumped beer cans.

Sunny weather and an easing of lockdown rules has led to a large number of people descending on the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales and as well as criticism of those not following social distancing guidance, community leaders and responsible visitors have been left shell-shocked by the amount of rubbish which some have left behind.

Now councils have joined to condemn the actions of the ‘mindless minority’ and urge people to show more ‘respect’.

A Derbyshire Dales District Council spokesperson said: “Clearly the Government’s recent announcement that day trippers can enjoy unlimited travel in England is creating very real issues for local authorities such as Derbyshire Dales.”

“Our staff do an incredible job clearing up litter and this isn’t a problem confined only to Bakewell. All of our visitor hotspots are impacted, including our main parks in Ashbourne, Matlock and Matlock Bath and this is testing resources in very challenging times due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.”

“We ask visitors to respect our communities and the council’s own staff by taking home the litter they create. Authorised officers will not hesitate to issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices where people contravene advertised Public Space Protection Orders by using disposable barbecues, lighting open fires, consuming alcohol or littering.”

Coun Simon Spencer, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: “It is vitally important that visitors use our sites responsibly and take their litter home with them.”

“Regrettably littering has increased since lockdown restrictions have been eased with our staff spending considerable time picking up litter left by visitors.”

“This impacts upon staffs’ ability to support visitors and deal with other issues such as essential site duties and responding to reports of lost children.”

“We’re disappointed to report a number of unauthorised gatherings, this puts people at risk and does not help prevent the spread of coronavirus.”

“We’d like to thank visitors who are social distancing, making good use of the space available and using our sites responsibly.”

Concerns have also been raised over the number of discarded barbecues left smoking and potentially sparking moorland fires.

A Peak Dsitrict National Trust spokesperson said: “In the places we look after in the Peak District (such as Dovedale, Slippery Stones and Padley Gorge to name just a few) barbecues and campfires are never allowed.”

“We are thankful to the the vigilance of the public for keeping our Peak District rang