Derbyshire locals angry after confusing Covid rules prompt police fines at National Trust site

Locals in South Derbyshire have expressed their anger online after confusing Covid-19 regulations have prompted a wave of police fines for people attending local National Trust site Calke Abbey in Ticknall.

Footage from January 7 shows the police preventing vehicles from entering the tourist spot.

Rage mounted online due to the rules claiming that people were allowed to enter the site to "access fresh air and open space for exercise."

Some residents were confused as to what counted as local and what didn't.

One person commented online: "We need to know what their threshold is. I live on the edge of Derby, just under six miles away.

"It doesn't seem unreasonable to travel 10 minutes to access a wide open space that limits visitor numbers.

"It is safer than using busy urban paths."

While another said: "They won't get you a definite answer but just direct you to the government website, as they don't really know themselves."

The National Trust said online: "The parkland at Calke Abbey remains open for local visitors to access fresh air and open space for exercise in line with government guidance."

While Derbyshire Police said: "If you have to travel for exercise then keep it local, i.e. your nearest place."