THE simmering problems at a controversial Oldham beauty spot can be measured by the growing number of renegade lawbreaking visitors, writes Ken Bennett.

At weekends from December 1 until last weekend an ongoing parking blitz at Dovestone Reservior, Greenfield, has yielded more than 500 fixed penalty notices by Oldham Council.

Motorists clocked up 259 car park offences with the nearby A635 Greenfield- Holmfirth road traffic wardens ticketed an additional 229 vehicles.

A three-strong team of Dovestone marshals are on regular weekend duty at the site supervising traffic flow but on Sunday, GMP Saddleworth and Lees reported the car park was full by 12.30 pm and surrounding areas were busy.

And they posed the question: “Is your journey necessary? Please stay local and stay safe.”

The Oldham Times spearheaded a campaign highlighting illegal parking problems prevented locals reaching their homes and impacting on farmers who cannot reach pregnant flocks because of blocked farm entrances.

Police, water, and council chiefs stepped up measures to reduce the number of day-trippers flouting Covid guidance. In addition to enforcing parking regulations, police patrolled the reservior to help ensure visitors followed the Government’s advice on coronavirus.

The problems at the site have been highlighted by Dr Andrew Taylor, chairman of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association and MP Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth.

Meanwhile, United Utilities temporary electronic signs which will indicate when the car park is full will remain.

The signs on the roundabout at the junction of Holmfirth Road and Chew Valley Road, however they can be moved to alternative locations if the impact could be improved.

And a UU spokesperson said: “It is hoped the measures will emphasise the message the site can only be used by local people who are taking their daily exercise.”

Ross Evans, estates and land manager at United Utilities, said: “As a partnership we have been doing our best to manage the site but the job is made incredibly difficult by members of the public who refuse to follow the rules.

“We have seen dangerous parking, people congregating in large groups and anti-social behaviour which is not fair on the people who live here or our employees who work here.

“The message is simple – if you drive past other parks or green spaces to get here you are travelling too far.”

Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding said: “Some of the visitors need to start taking responsibility for their own actions.

“It’s easy to blame the authorities for a perceived lack of action, but this simply isn’t true. The members of the partnership are doing their best in very difficult circumstances and we only have limited resources which are already being stretched.

“If you live in Oldham try one of our many parks or green spaces near you rather than getting in your car and possibly having to wait ages for a spot on the car park. If you do take a chance and park illegally then you risk a fine.

“If you do visit Dove Stone then please remember Hands, Face, Space and let’s protect ourselves, our families and the NHS.”

Dovestone is seen as the sounding board for wider problems across the borough and neighbouring areas.