Funding plea to halt Dovestone louts

THE Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has applied for extra funding in a bid to crack down on yob behaviour at the Binn Green car park at Dovestone Reservoir.
In a proposal to the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, the charity asks for £4,650 to install a heavy duty barrier gate at the car park and explore the possibility of CCTV surveillance.

The application is based on a security audit carried out by Colin Cockroft, from Oldham Council Community Safety Services.

RSPB managers say they want to change the routine of after-dark anti-social behaviour that often takes place at the secluded spot.

Drunken thugs have been a headache for the charity since it took over the management of Dovestone in April.

Solar panels were stolen from the roof of the car park toilets just four weeks after being installed, while a new barrier was also wrecked by vandals.

The RSPB say that disruptive behaviour, including lighting fires, littering and off-road driving is also a problem — with evidence of further drug use at the site. The project to install the heavy-duty gate to restrict night-hours access would be carried out by Oldham First Response.

Increased staffing at the main Dovestone car park has received a positive response from members of the sailing club. More than 40 people are now regularly involved in volunteering thanks to the charity, with helpers spending over 250 volunteer days at the site since April.

A decision on the funding application will be made at Thursday’s District Partnership meeting, starting 6.30pm at Grotton Pavilion.