Calls for extra funding to extend marshal scheme at Dovestone Reservoir

A local green campaigner is calling for an extension of the weekend marshals scheme at Dovestone Reservoir, to cover the whole week, as visitor numbers rise. 

Greenfield resident Brian Banawich wants extra funding to be made available to tackle a congestion issue at the beauty spot. 

Speaking to The Oldham Evening Chronicle, he told us: "United Utilities seem to be working on the assumption Dovestone is only busy at the weekend.

"The car park is insufficient for the huge increase in numbers we've seen in recent years and the site is now extremely busy all week.

"Today, (Tuesday March 31), we've seen potentially hazardous parking in large numbers all over the site.

"An emergency vehicle would find it extremly difficult to navigate Bradbury Lane to reach the many homes at Hey Top, or to get through the car park to help an injured visitor" 

"I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience for visitors to be stuck in the car park for ages waiting to get in or out either.

"Extending the warden scheme to cover peak times all week would ensure a more pleasant experience for local residents and visitors alike.

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We sympathise with the problems people living near Dovestone are having and we have been working hard with residents, the RSPB and Oldham Council since November on a sustainable management plan to try to ease the pressure of visitors. 

“This includes signage and employing marshals to encourage visitors to behave responsibly.

"Our marshals are present during weekends and can only advise.

"Parking on double yellow lines is against the law and is a matter for the enforcing authorities, which are the police and the Council, and incidents should be reported to them.

“Over Easter, our presence on site does extend beyond the bank holiday weekend. As well as four marshals working from Good Friday to Bank Holiday Monday, electronic advice signs have been there all this week and will remain in place until April 12 , with a rolling messages about parking, wildfires and social distancing during the week days and all evenings.

"This will take us beyond the immediate change in lockdown restrictions and Easter period/holidays.

“We are also running a targeted social media campaign over the Easter period, including a new wildfire campaign video which we hope to launch around Easter alongside the usual reservoir safety campaign.

“Although we don’t promote the site to visitors, it has become increasingly popular and this weekend will be the first where the enhanced measures we agreed in November are in place.

"We will review the situation following this period as part of our longer-term ongoing strategic collaboration with stakeholders.”

 

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