The Greater Manchester tourist spot dealt with traffic chaos and fire incidents (Image: Dark_Eni via Getty Images)
Car parks at Dovestones, Greater Manchester, were plunged into traffic bedlam on Saturday (March 21) as massive crowds descended upon the scenic location. With the sun shining and temperatures reaching 17C across the region, hordes of visitors were drawn to the area in Saddleworth Moor.
However, residents have found themselves ‘trapped in their homes’ with the area ‘ruined by very ignorant visitors’ over recent years. The same happened again on Saturday, with the area becoming ‘packed’ and images depicting lengthy queues for the car park and roads in total gridlock. One of our sister titles, the Manchester Evening News, has frequently reported on problems at the tourist magnet in recent years, including traffic chaos and fire crews issuing repeated alerts after being summoned to illegal barbecue incidents wreaking havoc on warm days.
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The car park descended into chaos on Saturday March 21 (Image: Helen Bishop)
Parking advisories have also been issued previously in an attempt to curb the issue.
Images were subsequently posted online by councillor Helen Bishop in an effort to highlight issues in the area, describing it as ‘packed’, and noting that car park marshals ‘struggled to maintain control’. The fire service was also summoned after smoke was seen billowing nearby, reports Manchester Evening News.
The Saddleworth South councillor said: « First decent day and Dovestones was rammed. The Marshalls seemed to have struggled to maintain control of the parking and access situation, which I shall follow up on, but I also happened upon a couple of barbecues, which were duly reported and extinguished.
« It turned out to be a good job the fire crew turned up as smoke was seen rising up from behind the trees near the brook, which they then went to investigate.
« Next Saturday, there will be a multi-agency information day aimed at educating visitors about the countryside code. Looks like it can’t come soon enough. »
Queues to enter the car park (Image: Helen Bishop)
Cllr Bishop told the Manchester Evening News that locals are now becoming ‘trapped in their homes’ due to traffic mayhem, with emergency services ‘struggling to gain access’ to the area because of thoughtless parking and traffic congesting the local roads.
One person responded: « I don’t go to Dovestones anymore because it has been spoilt by a number of very ignorant visitors who simply don’t care, or respect the area or the villagers who live here.
« I have no problem in people visiting this area providing they treat it and respect it accordingly. »
Another added: « Used to be such a peaceful place to go, » as a third said: « Used to live walking there.. now I avoided it .. such a shame. »
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were summoned to a ‘small fire’ near Dovestone Reservoir at around 5pm on Saturday, which was suspected to have been ignited by a barbecue found at the scene.
Firefighters tackle the wildfire on Saddleworth Moor which continues to spread after the blaze was declared a major incident by Greater Manchester Police. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 27, 2018. The fire started on Sunday and reignited the next day amid a heatwave. See PA story FIRE Saddleworth. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire (Image: PA)
The fire service had previously initiated their ‘Be Moor Aware’ campaign in an attempt to raise awareness and prevent moorland fires and wildfires by urging people to dispose of rubbish properly and cease the use of barbecues or any other fires.
In April of the previous year, firefighters spent five hours at the site of a massive blaze which erupted on an area of moorland close to the reservoir.
The area affected by fire was larger than a football pitch, measuring 150 metres by 100 metres. This occurred just a month after an ‘ignorant’ couple were spotted lighting up a barbecue in the area.
And back in 2018, a major incident was declared after Saddleworth Moor became the location of one of the largest wildfires ever witnessed in the UK, which blazed for several weeks throughout the summer.
It charred seven square miles and resulted in the evacuation of approximately 150 people.
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