Peak District overwhelmed with cars & litter as Bank Holiday tourists urged to keep away from beauty spots
THE Peak District, one of the most picturesque spots in England, has become overwhelmed with cars and litter in the wake of the government easing lockdown restrictions.
Police have urged people not to flock to the region this Bank Holiday after shocking photographs showed miles of parked cars, piles of rubbish and dumped BBQs in the beauty spot.
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Staffordshire Police Chief Inspector Mark Thorley pleaded with the public, asking them to be "respectful" as he fears crowds will cause the coronavirus spread to "spike".
He wrote on Twitter: "C19 has not disappeared, staying alert may still mean for some people that staying home is the best way to stay safe.
"Please be responsible, be respectful and tolerant to make sure we can all enjoy the weekend without causing distress to another and the disease doesn't spike."
It's not just the Peak District that is feeling the pressure, other tourist bodies and residents of coastal towns are fearing an influx of frustrated families seizing the chance to make the most of the more lenient measures after weeks of being stuck indoors.
Matt Hancock addressed the outdoor crowding at yesterday's press conference, speaking at Number 10 he said: "Let's not go back to square one.
"We can all play our part in the national effort."
The Norfolk Coast Partnership has sent out a plea to the public to stay away from its coastline for the moment so the area is not "overwhelmed".
Dorset Council and the Visit Peak District & Derbyshire tourist board are telling people to "think" before travelling, to act responsibly and protect the local community.
Cumbria's local resilience forum has sent a thank you message to holidaymakers who postponed their trips to the area after visitor numbers last weekend were "lower than anticipated".
It said: "The message remains that the county is not quite ready for visitors to return in their usual numbers."
Cumbria's public health director Colin Cox said: "I continue to urge people to keep their Lake District plans on hold as we grapple with the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak in the county.
"I understand that people may feel their individual visit won't cause a problem, but when thousands of people have the same idea then that has the potential to create genuine issues."
After a spell of sunny weather across much of the UK, the weather is expected to be unsettled and windy in the North with showers or longer spells of rain this weekend, according to the Met Office.
It says there will be scattered showers on Saturday in the South but it will become dry, settled and increasingly warm.
Representatives of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire tweeted that the beauty spot is "on high fire alert!".
It added that no BBQs or campfires are being allowed and that "rangers will be out again this weekend with other organisations to keep people & wildlife safe".
Coastal visitors will find many car parks, public toilets and local businesses are still closed, along with many local businesses, the Norfolk Coast Partnership said.
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Manager Estelle Hook said: "In many places on the coast there is not the infrastructure to support the necessary social distancing or to ensure that visitors have the facilities they would usually expect, such as car parks or toilets."
The RNLI issued a warning to potential beachgoers stating that its lifeguards "can't be everywhere this summer".
Anyone who ventures out should check the weather and tide reports, keep an eye on their families and should not use inflatables, it said.
