Army veteran - 'I’d rather do a term in Afghanistan than face what goes on at Dovestone'

A former soldier said he would rather serve a tour of duty in Afghanistan than continue to live in the shadow of a popular Saddleworth beauty spot.

Construction worker Ben Goodchild, aged 52, and his partner Hannah, are leaving their three-bedroomed cottage because of problems of the spiralling avalanche of visitors to Dovestone at Greenfield.

A soldier for ten years, Ben served in the Royal Logistic Corps and completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

He said: “Currently, there are hundreds of sightseers walking the Dovestone area every day, ignoring all social distancing advice and leaving all sorts of rubbish behind.  

“I’d rather do a term in Afghanistan than face what goes on here day in and day out,” he said candidly.

"Dovestone toilets remain closed, so this has resulted in people urinating and defecating along lanes, hedgerows and around the reservoir. 

“None of us wanted the reservoir to open until the Covid 19 crisis was over.

“It’s absolutely disgusting.

"Thousands of people from far and wide are determined to visit this fairly Covid free area - with no social distancing.”

Last week Ben witnessed the 'wholesale abuse' of the site’s professional security team who are on duty to supervise traffic flow at the site.

“The abuse they took was unrelenting," he said.

"People just do not listen. Visitors were trying to get in to the car park when it was blatantly full to overflowing.

“And visitors try to bring barbecues of all shapes and sizes to the site even though know they are banned. It's  heartbreaking.”

He added: “We have fabulous loyal neighbours and we have built a really strong bond over the years. 

“But this constant abuse of people’s property and privacy just should just not continue to happen.

"We are leaving Hey Top due to the ongoing nightmare.”

An Oldham council spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear of the concerns. 

“However, we can only respond to issues we are made aware of.

"This resident has not been in touch with us or raised any concerns. 

“We would urge him to contact us or the other authorities that manage the site.”

Doctor Andrew Taylor, chair of Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association, has written to the authorities, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, urging Dovestone closure.

Meanwhile, independently, more than 3,000 people have signed a petition demanding a series of measures, including immediately restricting access to the reservoir to the public.

The petition can be accessed here

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