Project to make Peak District's most popular spots more accessible

Two new projects have been announced to make the Peak District more accessible

A project to make the Peak District a better and more accessible place to walk and cycle has received a boost following support from BMW UK. The project’s aim is to help combat barriers that prevent people from accessing the countryside around them, due to lack of transport, social isolation, a loss of confidence, older age, or physical and mental health challenges.

In addition to this, the Peak District is also being made more accessible to electric vehicles. On Thursday, January 11, five new twin charging points, funded by BMW UK through its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK, were revealed.

The new EV chargers are located at Millers Dale Station, Parsley Hay Bike Hire Centre & Car Park and the Moorland Visitor Centre at Edale. Millers Dale Station and Parsley Hay chargers will be available to the public, and those at Edale will serve guests of the Fieldhead Campsite at the Moorland Visitor Centre.

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These are some of the busiest locations in the National Park, increasing the availability of EV charging options for both local communities and visitors. Each EV charging point can charge two cars simultaneously meaning that more EV drivers can travel with confidence to appreciate the Peak District’s picturesque views.

In total, the UK’s National Parks are visited over 100 million times each year – with 93 per cent of these visits being made by car. Enhancing the EV recharging network is vital to enabling better access for the lowest emitting and quietest vehicles.

Emily Fox, interim head of resources for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Being so close to the cities of Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby, the Peak District National Park is the most accessible of the UK’s National Parks and we’re so pleased to be able to take this further through the Recharge in Nature partnership with BMW UK.

“The new EV chargers mean that those who live and work in the Peak District, as well as the 13 million visitors we welcome every year, have lower emission travel options, helping protect our National Park now and for future generations. BMW UK’s support for ‘Peaks of Health’ also means we can increase its impact in making the Peak District accessible for everyone.”

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