Dovestone.. A plan for the future?

Motorists at Dovestone Reservoir

Far-reaching options which could dramatically change the management of visitors to a controversial Saddleworth beauty spot will be discussed at a high-level virtual summit tonight.

Attended by Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth,  agencies and partners will explore how to tackle issues at Dovestone Reservoir, Greenfield.

A massive increase in visitor numbers to the picturesque site has led to existing car parks unable to meet parking demands, with heavy congestion on access roads and residents unable to access homes.
 
There was been difficulty for emergency service vehicles accessing the site with off-site car parking causing issues on the A635 Greenfield-Holmfirth road and residential homes.

A team of car parking marshals remain on weekend duty at the site until Christmas.

The  site, owned by United Utilities and leased to the RSPB, has been a hotbed of mounting frustration and anger but access to the land is freely allowed under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act which prevents partners limiting visitor numbers.

Last weekend, wardens issued 101 notices for motoring offences including 66 committed on the A635 and 17 on nearby  Hollins Lane. Pay and display income netted Oldham Council £18,386 in August and £19,158 in September.

The summit will examine electronic/highway signage on approaches to site with a ‘car park full’ type of signage to divert visitors. There will be a review and consultation on the current level of car parking charges to reflect patterns of visitor use and the costs associated with managing the site with a possible  car park season ticket for local residents.
 
The meeting will investigate the installation of CCTV, to monitor car parking usage and anti-social/illegal behavior and bid to promote  education through signage/interpretation boards, to include The Countryside Code, PSPO, no left turn on A635 awareness and review  all signage to assess effectiveness and avoid ‘sign blindness’.
 
And, as part of parking restrictions and enforcement, they will look at  options for increased police patrols and  tow zones in and around Greenfield village.  In the long term, the option of a “park and ride“ plan will be discussed.