Cheddar Gorge parking made safer

Longleat Estate moves to prevent threat posed by falling rocks

Falling rocks at Cheddar Gorge will lead to parking spaces being removed from a car park within the Mendip Hills Area of Natural Beauty. A new embankment known as a bund will be built by Longleat Estate on the parking area that sits on the B3135 Cliff Road between High Rock and Arch Rock.

There are currently 37 parking spaces available for motorists – but this will be cut by nine to make space for the bund, leaving 28 spaces for cars and vans.

The bund will be constructed using 300 tonnes of rock that is already on site following rock safety work carried out in this section of the gorge. The rocks will be covered with inert soil transported into the site once construction is complete.

A spokesman for architect Benjamin & Beauchamp, representing Longleat, said: “The existing lay-by area and road is not fully protected from falling rocks at the foot of the cliff, and this has proven to be a major safety concern for the public and for road users.

“As the land naturally gullies down towards this lay-by, with it being the location of steep cliff faces, falling rocks from the cliffs navigate into the site. This therefore creates a hazardous and high-risk point along the gorge, requiring extra protection from these falling rocks

Dartmoor parking charge increase

Dartmoor National Park Authority is to increase its parking charges.

The authority said its financial situation had resulted in a series of difficult decisions lately, including a review of parking fees.

The park authority said this is the first increase in five years.

The funds raised will be reinvested in maintaining car park surfaces, looking after toilets, improving accessibility and supporting conservation work.

to members of the public.

“It is proposed to build a bund forward of the existing bund at the base of the cliff, to give an extra layer of protection as well as giving protection to areas where the existing bund does now.

“There are currently many alternative parking locations available along the gorge and more parking is currently being allocated at the bottom of the gorge; therefore, this reduction is considered negligible.”

The authority will also be installing electric vehicle charging points. There is a chargepoint at Haytor and others planned for Postbridge and Princetown.

The cost of using car parks will increase at Haytor, Lydford, Meldon Reservoir, Postbridge and Princetown’s car parks from 1 May.

Car drivers are to be charged £3 for up to three hours and £5 for longer.

Fees for minibus and coaches will increase to £10 for a day. Blue Badge holders will pay £3. Parking remains free for motorcycles.