Fines for 'idiotic' bank holiday parking issued

More than 50 fines have been handed out at a beauty spot due to "inconsiderate and dangerous" parking, police have said.

People flocked to Richmond Falls over the May Bank Holiday weekend to swim in the record-breaking hot weather.

However, cars were pictured left on kerbs, on double yellow lines and outside designated bays in car parks.

Officers said the concerning parking meant emergency vehicles would not have been able to access those in need.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We expected it to be busy in Richmond this weekend, but what isn't acceptable is the parking we have seen down at the Falls, and into the wider area of Richmond market place.

"Along with traffic enforcement from the council, the neighbourhood policing team have issued over 50 tickets to vehicles parked in what can only be described as an idiotic manner.

"There quite easily could have been more tickets issued, we simply haven't been able to get to every vehicle due to the sheer amount of traffic in the area."

They added another weekend like this would "not be tolerated".

"The safety of the town and its community is of the utmost importance to us," a spokesperson said.

"We ask those who visit here to please park in a considerate manner so that we take care of the area and its community the best we can."

The police warning about emergency access comes after the inquest last week into the death of a 12-year-old boy who drowned at Richmond Falls last August while visiting the river with his family.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.