Overnight car park boost for Dales walkers

From Thursday, visitors will not have to limit their routes to ones that can be covered in a few hours. Instead they will be able to buy a parking ticket for either 24 or 48 hours at a cost of 5 or 7.50, respectively.

The aim is to allow them to go further afield and break their journey overnight at some of the National Park's hotels, guest houses or bed and breakfast businesses.

The new service has been introduced after consultation with car park users, according to Dr Malcolm Petyt, the authority's member champion for recreation management.

"We have listened to what people have said they want and we have come up with this facility so they can leave their vehicles for longer periods," he said.

"It will be ideal for visitors who want to extend their stay and go off walking for a weekend, for example." He said they would also be introducing a free 10-minute period for toilet breaks in each car park.

For the first time in more than three years, there will be a rise in the cost of all-day tickets – up by 30p to 3.50 for cars and up 60p to 7 for larger vehicles.

Dr Petyt said: "All the revenue from the ticket sales goes towards the maintenance of the car parks and toilets and to National Park projects, and we have kept the increases to an absolute minimum."