DESPITE zero temperatures a steady stream of motorists arrived at Saddleworth’s most controversial beauty spot on Thursday.

Dovestone Reservior offers a chance to escape to stunning scenery and share the glory of the countryside.

Wearing a face mask, observing social distancing and armed with government approval - journalists are key workers - I visited the site to see first hand why motorists had travelled to the iconic spot.

The Oldham Times has campaigned for responsible behaviour from visitors in the well-known beauty spot for the last two years, prompting visits to the area from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and input from Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams.

A broad mixture of families, couples and solo visitors arrived during my lunchtime sojourn but they all deflected my questions as to how far they had travelled and was their journey really necessary.

One bearded visitor said defensively: “Ok, I don’t live locally ...but I wanted to come here. And I’m here.”

Ms Abrahams and the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association have driven the mission to completely review parking, social facilities and protect local residents from the tidal wave of visitors who gridlock homes and create major traffic problems which back into Greenfield village itself.

And since last year, a three-strong team of Dovestone marshals has worked weekends supervising the car park and turning visitors away when it was full.

Over the holiday period Oldham cCouncil issued a stream of PCNs from December 27 until January 3, booking between 18 to 45 offenders a day, netting between £325 and up to £830 on December 28 in revenue.

On Wednesday, bird welfare charity RSPB Dovestone sent a social media message reminding the public of their responsibilities under the new lockdown.

They asked people to follow government guidance to stay at home, exercise locally and protect yourself and others.

They added: “ Dovestone and the surrounding area has been experiencing extremely high numbers of visitors, so we strongly encourage you to explore alternative local walks.

“In line with Government guidance, landowners United Utilities will keep the car park at Dove Stone open to allow for local, essential, daily exercise only.

“If you visit Dove Stone, please follow the advice: We strongly urge you to follow the legislation around non-essential travel and please visit your most local nature reserves and green spaces only.

"Please follow all current government guidance around social distancing, who you can visit with, hygiene and follow all signage on-site.”

They added warnings not to swim in reservoirs, Or light fires or barbecue and adviser on taking rubbish home.

But after visiting yesterday I believe jury is still out on why t visitors drove to Dovestone.