Tourists have been flocking to a Peak District beauty spot in greater numbers than ever before, attracted by the promise of witnessing a stunning sunrise. But residents living in the shadow of Mam near Castleton say their lives are being made a misery by the visitors’ ‘selfish’ actions.
Mam Tor – around an hour’s drive from Stoke-on-Trent – has gone viral on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, resulting in early morning crowds eager to see the spectacular view from the hilltop where cloud inversions are often witnessed. With the nearest car park at Mam Tor quickly getting full, many visitors have resorted to parking along nearby roads, causing congestion and sometimes necessitating road closures.
Residents have raised alarm over cars being left thoughtlessly on both sides of the road, leading to traffic issues and safety concerns.
Matters came to a head when Winnats Pass, linking Mam Tor with Castleton, was closed down by officials on Sunday (January 12) due to safety fears, as Derbyshire Live reported.
Derbyshire Police called attention to the issue of double parking blocking the road. Those who parked inconsiderately faced fines, and those dangerously parked were at risk of having their vehicles towed away.
A police spokesperson said: “If you can’t find a space where you first intended to visit then don’t simply dump your car, your selfish actions could be the difference between someone receiving life-saving care or not.”
Moreover, the large number of tourists who did make it to Mam Tor found that the number of people present took away from the serenity they sought. A TikTok user has labelled their climb of the hill as “the worst mistake” due to the excessive crowds and gusty weather conditions.
An experienced walker expressed their worries, saying: “TikTok has made it famous and people with no hiking experience are going. Especially in this weather you need to be prepared and check the wind conditions, wear base layers, hiking shoes with grip, airbreaker. You can’t just go as if you’re going for a walk.”
Another individual who dared to make the journey on a Saturday also aired their complaints, stating: “I went, insanely busy, no respect shown by anyone, drinking, smoking weed and chaos. I would never go on a Saturday again.”
Meanwhile, a third person added: “Bro it’s such an average hill what is the hype? I see better sunrises on the way to work.”
Sign up for the latest breaking news and top stories from StokeonTrentLive on WhatsApp
This post was originally published on here
