'Marshal law' to stay at Saddleworth beauty spot

Picture by Hannah-Rose Bennett

Funding to keep vital marshals in place at a trouble-hit Saddleworth beauty spot has been extended into the new year.

And United Utilities, who supervise the weekend security package at Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, say they will review the situation with partners in January.

The marshals have been a regular weekend feature at the site since summer, organising traffic flow and turning an avalanche of visitors away once car parks are filled.

The reservoir itself has been subject of a high-powered virtual summit hosted by Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, to plan a campaign to ease the traffic blight and bring relief for residents living nearby.

They have been blocked in their homes by visiting tourists who have caused widespread parking and traffic problems at the reservior and nearby Greenfield.

Oldham Council have blitzed renegade motorists with fines in a bid to deter visitors, and they are now working with UU and the RSPB on a community-lead visitor strategy.

New electronic signage, CCTV and modified car parking charges are being considered as part of the solution to tackle anti-social behaviour, inconsiderate parking and increased littering at the beauty spot.

And there is to be an independent traffic/parking/highways assessment linked to stepped up voluntary involvement in site management and visitor surveys.

This will be supported by a new local residents forum to continue dialogue and gain feedback into the strategy and social media campaigns highlighting traffic and parking issues on site.

Dr Andrew Taylor, chair of Greenfield and Grasscroft community association, said: “No single step is going to solve this problem, but the extra funding for marshals is a laudable and timely intervention that will ease the problems residents suffer.  

“Hopefully too, it adds continuance to the message of a site under control.”

The marshals will be at the site, including on Boxing Day, until January 10.

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