Peak District National Park secures Skoda partnership funding

The Peak District National Park Authority has entered a commercial partnership with Skoda UK, installing temporary signs that rename the area as the “Peaq District” to promote the carmaker’s new electric model. The deal provides a “reasonable amount” of cash, which the authority says will support conservation, heritage and access projects, though the exact figure was not disclosed.

The arrangement has drawn criticism from campaigners and local residents who argue that selling the park’s name risks compromising its environmental purpose. They point to recent cuts in government funding for national parks – a 9% reduction for the 2025‑26 year and a 40% real‑terms decline since 2010 – and warn that commercial deals may become more common as financial pressures rise. The UK government, meanwhile, has pledged £37 million for national parks over the next three years, plus an additional £30 million for special habitats and species.