Scores of visitors to Chesterfield’s Sunday car boot sale have been issued with tickets as part of a crackdown on inconsiderate motorists who officials say are putting people in danger.

Scores of visitors to Chesterfield’s Sunday car boot sale have been issued with tickets as part of a crackdown on inconsiderate motorists who officials say are putting people in danger.

A number of drivers going to the weekly sales, held on Hollywell Cross Car Park, are leaving their vehicles on the pavements and grass verges around the site, causing pedestrians to walk out into the road and to cross from in between vehicles where oncoming traffic cannot see them. They also reverse from the verges into oncoming traffic travelling around the “Doughnut”.

Speaking on behalf of the Safer Chesterfield team, Tony Maxfield, Assistant Supervisor for Parking Services, said: “It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured. I had to step out onto the pedestrian crossing from behind a vehicle that had used the drop kerb of the crossing to mount the pavement. It is incredibly dangerous.”

The issue has been discussed several times by members of the Safer Chesterfield Town Centre team and it was decided to send traffic wardens to the sale area for a few weeks.

Figures just revealed show that over three Sundays at the end of April, 83 tickets were issued and at the beginning of May Police in the area issued a further 17.

Police Sergeant Dean Smith said: “Drivers must realise that a parking offence is being committed if a vehicle is parked on the pavements and verges around the car boot.  More serious traffic offences may also be committed on driving on to or from these areas, particularly as such a manoeuvre is being performed within the confines of a traffic roundabout. 
 
“Motorists seem to ignore the fact that the site is, in fact, a traffic roundabout. The fact that it is a Sunday or being used for a car boot does not alter any of the normal traffic regulations and provisions,

“Disabled badge holders do have certain privileges but the badge is not a licence to abandon a vehicle anywhere nor is it a barrier to prosecution, as with any vehicle it is the user’s responsibility to park appropriately.”

Normal parking charges apply in most car parks in Chesterfield on Sundays but drivers can stay in the multi-storey park on Beetwell Street for £1 for the whole day.

“This is a very small price to pay compared to that of a parking ticket or the guilt of living with the fact that you have contributed to a serious accident,” Tony Maxfield said.

“We urge everyone to take the advice of the officials and park legally and responsibly when they come to the car boot sales, to avoid putting anyone in danger and to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy the very popular weekly event.”