FOLLOWING the swathes of visitors flocking to Dovestone Reservoir last weekend, Oldham East and Saddleworth East MP, Debbie Abrahams has demanded greater clarity from Government over exercising “locally” in lockdown.

Ms Abrahams wrote to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel earlier this week, as well as Health Secretary, Matt Hancock and Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick.

Her letter to the Home Secretary letter read: “We have seen anti-social behaviour and the flouting of Covid restrictions in some beauty spots and open spaces in my constituency.

“This has been of particular concern at Dovestone Reservoir with social distancing being ignored and people clearly exercising with more than one person outside their household and not exercising locally.

“Given the seriousness of the new, more infectious Covid variant that we are also seeing here in Oldham and Saddleworth this is of course concerning.

“This is also causing great distress to residents living close to Dovestone.”

Ms Abrahams went on to urge the Secretary of State to: “Give the public, and police who have to enforce these rules, clearer guidance on what is and what is not acceptable during the pandemic, as you did in the first lockdown last March.

“The seriousness of the new more infectious Covid-19 variant means we must act now.”

Residents, particularly in Greenfield, say they are being put at greater risk of contracting coronavirus due to Dovestone Reservoir and the surrounding areas continuing to attract thousands of day trippers.

Last weekend police and council chiefs stepped up measures to reduce the number of visitors flouting Covid guidance. More than 500 parking tickets have been issued since December. In addition to enforcing parking regulations, police are now patrolling the reservoir.

Ms Abrahams has told The Oldham Times that she is yet to hear back from Government regarding her letter.