The Shardlow Inland Port Festival has been cancelled for 2025 due to parking issues and safety concerns raised by residents and visitors
Derby: So, it turns out the Shardlow Inland Port Festival is not happening in 2025. Bummer, right? The festival has been a favorite for locals, but they’ve run into some serious parking problems.
This festival has been all about celebrating canal life and the local heritage. Every September, folks would stroll along the Trent and Mersey towpath, meet narrowboat enthusiasts, and enjoy all sorts of activities. It was a great way for local businesses to showcase their stuff, too.
The Shardlow Inland Port Steering Group, who’ve been behind the festival for the last four years, said they’ve been trying hard to keep it safe and fun for everyone. But safety is a big deal, especially when it comes to parking and access for residents.
A spokesperson mentioned that they had to make the tough call to cancel the 2025 event because of complaints about parking and access issues. They really wanted to make sure everyone could enjoy the festival without any hassle.
This year, things got a bit messy with visitors parking in all the wrong spots instead of using the designated field car park. They even asked for a small donation, but it wasn’t mandatory. Still, it caused a lot of headaches for the traffic management team.
People on social media are pretty upset about the news. One person, Vee Jay, pointed out how this affects local businesses and all the visitors who loved coming to the festival. It’s a real shame, especially since so much effort goes into organizing it.
Others chimed in, saying how much they enjoyed the atmosphere and how it helped local businesses thrive. It’s just sad to see such a beloved event potentially come to an end.
Shardlow has a rich history, especially since the Trent and Mersey Canal opened back in 1770. It was a hub for trade back in the day, and while things have changed, the charm of the area remains.
One of the coolest parts of the festival was the floating market, where canal boats would sell all kinds of goodies. It’s a real loss for the community, and hopefully, they can find a way to bring it back in the future.
