Latest news with #HighPeak
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
MP's plan to help TikTok-famous towns overrun by tourists
A Labour MP has suggested that new powers allowing town halls to establish bus routes could alleviate new issues facing TikTok-famous "honeypot villages". Jon Pearce commended the Government for proposing new powers that would enable councils to manage their own bus routes and prevent companies from discontinuing essential services. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, which recently passed its second reading, would streamline the franchising process for authorities seeking to establish London-style networks and better protect vital routes. Mr Pearce highlighted the parking problems in High Peak communities, exacerbated by a TikTok trend of photographing sunset and sunrise over Mam Tor. The 517-metre-high hill in Derbyshire has gained popularity on social media, with videos filmed at the location receiving over 100,000 likes on TikTok. Mr Pearce continued: 'I'm co-ordinating a response to these issues with local stakeholders like the Peak park, police and councils, and a key tranche of what we need to do is deliver better bus services that are integrated with local train services. 'This Bill will transfer powers away from Westminster and empower local communities to take decisions necessary for our commuters to get to work, our students to get to college, our vulnerable to access the healthcare they need, and our honeypot villages to manage tourism sustainably.' Gritting crews were unable to reach a Peak District road near the hill earlier this year after more than 200 cars were double parked on it, according to Derbyshire County Council, and Mr Pearce previously wrote to authorities, when he warned that emergency services had been obstructed. The Bill would give councils the power to set up franchised bus networks to regulate routes, timetables, fares and vehicle standards, without the need for ministers' permission. Ms Alexander said the Government is 'fixing the broken' franchising process and told MPs: 'Proposed schemes need to jump through a myriad of hoops and they still require my consent to proceed, which is odd to say the least. 'The idea that I understand more what passengers in Leicestershire or Cornwall need than their local leaders is for the birds. In December, we opened up franchising to every local authority and now through this Bill we will further streamline the process making it simpler for franchise schemes to be granted and assessed.' Ms Alexander said the franchising model 'won't work everywhere', and added: 'That's why this Bill also strengthens enhanced partnerships and removes the ideological ban on establishing new local authority bus companies. 'Furthermore, by giving local authorities the power to design and pay bus operator grants in their areas, this Bill gives greater protections for socially necessary local services – securing those lifeline routes that keep communities connected.' Pressed about funding to local authorities for the £3 bus fare cap, Ms Alexander said: 'There is a spending review under way but I can confirm that I fully appreciate the importance of an affordable and accessible bus route.' Ms Alexander also said the Government will 'press pause' on so-called floating bus stops 'perceived to be poorly designed', amid concerns over accessibility issues and potential hazards for visually impaired people and others. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Paul Kohler said the Bill 'rightly lifts the outdated, ideologically driven ban on municipally owned bus companies, empowering local authorities who wish to use it, rather than infantilising them' and added that 'it is not and must not become a one-size-fits-all approach'. He added: 'Empowering local authorities in law is one thing. Enabling them in practice is quite another. 'Whilst this Bill hands councils a set of keys to a new bus network, it doesn't ensure there's fuel in the tank.' Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon earlier said improvements for passengers 'simply won't happen' without more Treasury money. He said: 'The Bill does not prioritise passengers and there is nothing in it that guarantees an improvement in service standards. 'The truth is that this Bill appears to be driven by political nostalgia. It is in many ways a thinly veiled attempt to recreate the municipal model of the pre-1986 era without fully considering the financial and operational realities of today.' The Bill will undergo further scrutiny in the Commons at a later date.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
TikTok-famous towns need new buses to handle social media crowds, MP says
A Labour MP has suggested that new powers allowing town halls to establish bus routes could alleviate new issues facing TikTok-famous "honeypot villages". Jon Pearce commended the Government for proposing new powers that would enable councils to manage their own bus routes and prevent companies from discontinuing essential services. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, which recently passed its second reading, would streamline the franchising process for authorities seeking to establish London-style networks and better protect vital routes. Mr Pearce highlighted the parking problems in High Peak communities, exacerbated by a TikTok trend of photographing sunset and sunrise over Mam Tor. The 517-metre-high hill in Derbyshire has gained popularity on social media, with videos filmed at the location receiving over 100,000 likes on TikTok. Mr Pearce continued: 'I'm co-ordinating a response to these issues with local stakeholders like the Peak park, police and councils, and a key tranche of what we need to do is deliver better bus services that are integrated with local train services. 'This Bill will transfer powers away from Westminster and empower local communities to take decisions necessary for our commuters to get to work, our students to get to college, our vulnerable to access the healthcare they need, and our honeypot villages to manage tourism sustainably.' Gritting crews were unable to reach a Peak District road near the hill earlier this year after more than 200 cars were double parked on it, according to Derbyshire County Council, and Mr Pearce previously wrote to authorities, when he warned that emergency services had been obstructed. The Bill would give councils the power to set up franchised bus networks to regulate routes, timetables, fares and vehicle standards, without the need for ministers' permission. Ms Alexander said the Government is 'fixing the broken' franchising process and told MPs: 'Proposed schemes need to jump through a myriad of hoops and they still require my consent to proceed, which is odd to say the least. 'The idea that I understand more what passengers in Leicestershire or Cornwall need than their local leaders is for the birds. In December, we opened up franchising to every local authority and now through this Bill we will further streamline the process making it simpler for franchise schemes to be granted and assessed.' Ms Alexander said the franchising model 'won't work everywhere', and added: 'That's why this Bill also strengthens enhanced partnerships and removes the ideological ban on establishing new local authority bus companies. 'Furthermore, by giving local authorities the power to design and pay bus operator grants in their areas, this Bill gives greater protections for socially necessary local services – securing those lifeline routes that keep communities connected.' Pressed about funding to local authorities for the £3 bus fare cap, Ms Alexander said: 'There is a spending review under way but I can confirm that I fully appreciate the importance of an affordable and accessible bus route.' Ms Alexander also said the Government will 'press pause' on so-called floating bus stops 'perceived to be poorly designed', amid concerns over accessibility issues and potential hazards for visually impaired people and others. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Paul Kohler said the Bill 'rightly lifts the outdated, ideologically driven ban on municipally owned bus companies, empowering local authorities who wish to use it, rather than infantilising them' and added that 'it is not and must not become a one-size-fits-all approach'. He added: 'Empowering local authorities in law is one thing. Enabling them in practice is quite another. 'Whilst this Bill hands councils a set of keys to a new bus network, it doesn't ensure there's fuel in the tank.' Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon earlier said improvements for passengers 'simply won't happen' without more Treasury money. He said: 'The Bill does not prioritise passengers and there is nothing in it that guarantees an improvement in service standards. 'The truth is that this Bill appears to be driven by political nostalgia. It is in many ways a thinly veiled attempt to recreate the municipal model of the pre-1986 era without fully considering the financial and operational realities of today.' The Bill will undergo further scrutiny in the Commons at a later date.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Bus powers could help TikTok-famous villages deal with problem parking
Town hall powers to set up bus routes could deal with problem parking in TikTok-famous 'honeypot villages', an MP has said. Jon Pearce praised the Government for proposing a suite of new powers which councils can use to run their own bus routes and prevent companies from pulling 'socially necessary' services. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, which secured a second reading on Monday, would 'streamline' the franchising process when authorities bid to set up London-style networks, and would better secure 'lifeline routes' elsewhere. 'In part thanks to a TikTok craze to photograph sunset and sunrise over Mam Tor, communities where I live in High Peak have been plagued by illegal parking,' Labour's Mr Pearce told the Commons. The 517 metre-high hill in Derbyshire has become popular on social media, with several videos filmed at the landmark racking up more than 100,000 likes on TikTok. Mr Pearce continued: 'I'm co-ordinating a response to these issues with local stakeholders like the Peak park, police and councils, and a key tranche of what we need to do is deliver better bus services that are integrated with local train services. 'This Bill will transfer powers away from Westminster and empower local communities to take decisions necessary for our commuters to get to work, our students to get to college, our vulnerable to access the healthcare they need, and our honeypot villages to manage tourism sustainably.' Gritting crews were unable to reach a Peak District road near the hill earlier this year after more than 200 cars were double parked on it, according to Derbyshire County Council, and Mr Pearce previously wrote to authorities, when he warned that emergency services had been obstructed. The Bill would give councils the power to set up franchised bus networks to regulate routes, timetables, fares and vehicle standards, without the need for ministers' permission. Ms Alexander said the Government is 'fixing the broken' franchising process and told MPs: 'Proposed schemes need to jump through a myriad of hoops and they still require my consent to proceed, which is odd to say the least. 'The idea that I understand more what passengers in Leicestershire or Cornwall need than their local leaders is for the birds. In December, we opened up franchising to every local authority and now through this Bill we will further streamline the process making it simpler for franchise schemes to be granted and assessed.' Ms Alexander said the franchising model 'won't work everywhere', and added: 'That's why this Bill also strengthens enhanced partnerships and removes the ideological ban on establishing new local authority bus companies. 'Furthermore, by giving local authorities the power to design and pay bus operator grants in their areas, this Bill gives greater protections for socially necessary local services – securing those lifeline routes that keep communities connected.' Pressed about funding to local authorities for the £3 bus fare cap, Ms Alexander said: 'There is a spending review under way but I can confirm that I fully appreciate the importance of an affordable and accessible bus route.' Ms Alexander also said the Government will 'press pause' on so-called floating bus stops 'perceived to be poorly designed', amid concerns over accessibility issues and potential hazards for visually impaired people and others. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Paul Kohler said the Bill 'rightly lifts the outdated, ideologically driven ban on municipally owned bus companies, empowering local authorities who wish to use it, rather than infantilising them' and added that 'it is not and must not become a one-size-fits-all approach'. He added: 'Empowering local authorities in law is one thing. Enabling them in practice is quite another. 'Whilst this Bill hands councils a set of keys to a new bus network, it doesn't ensure there's fuel in the tank.' Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon earlier said improvements for passengers 'simply won't happen' without more Treasury money. He said: 'The Bill does not prioritise passengers and there is nothing in it that guarantees an improvement in service standards. 'The truth is that this Bill appears to be driven by political nostalgia. It is in many ways a thinly veiled attempt to recreate the municipal model of the pre-1986 era without fully considering the financial and operational realities of today.' The Bill will undergo further scrutiny in the Commons at a later date.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Matlock bus services disrupted due to water works
A number of bus services in Matlock will be disrupted due to upcoming water maintenance Trent has announced a number of water maintenance works are going ahead in the town, which has resulted in multiple road closures starting from County Council said the Bank Road, Imperial Road and Dale Road closures between 2 and 20 June will affect some services calling at Matlock bus authority said services including Stagecoach, Andrews, High Peak and Trentbarton would now be setting off from different locations. Passengers are now being asked to catch affected buses from the following places:Outside of Iceland storeX17 Stagecoach: Services towards Chesterfield and towards Wirksworth63 Stagecoach: Outside store on Causeway Lane158 StagecoachMatlock Interchange6.1 Trentbarton: Services travelling towards BakewellTranspeak High Peak: Services towards Buxton 172 Andrews110 and 111 Ashbourne CT140 Stagecoach141 Stagecoach143 and 143A Stagecoach159 StagecoachBakewell Road6.1 Trentbarton: Services towards Derby Transpeak High Peak: Services towards Derby160 Stagecoach: Temporary stop opposite M&S141 Stagecoach143 and 143A Stagecoach159 StagecoachThe 157 Stagecoach service will run from Matlock bus station.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Council to extend 'no mow' regime to more High Peak areas
A council in Derbyshire says it is extending its "no mow" regime to additional Peak Borough Council said it had increased the amount of designated areas of grass that would be cut once a year to allow meadow grasses, wildflowers and other native species "to flourish".The authority said the areas would be left unmown from March before being cut in the autumn, where the grass would be collected and Jean Todd, part of the council's climate change and environment executive, said: "By adopting this reduced mowing strategy we aim to create richer and more diverse habitats which we know are good for the environment and our local wildlife." Working with the High Peak Biodiversity Network, the council said it would record species and monitor the changes in biodiversity due to reduced amount of authority said the designated sites would act as a trial with a view to expand the regime to more sites in the coming pitches and formal lawns will continue to be maintained throughout the year, the council designated sites are Ashwood Park, Granby Road, Temple Fields, Gadley Lane, and Serpentine Walks in Buxton, Manor Park, Bankswood Park and Glossop Cemetery in Glossop and areas in the Memorial Park in Whaley Greenhalgh, the council's deputy leader, said: "In line with our Parks Strategy, this is an important step in ensuring we're managing our parks and open spaces sustainably and that they are supporting our nature recovery ambitions."
