Idyllic village left ‘gridlocked’ after tourists ‘drive like d***heads’ to get t

Residents have slammed visitors for traffic chaos and major parking problems as their quiet village struggles to cope with the influx of day trippers visiting Dovestone reservoir. 

And as temperatures are predicted to remain high, Greenfield is set to get absolutely rammed on weekends and school holidays according to local residents. 

With its rugged stone cottages, stunning countryside, traditional pubs and its proximity to the reservoir, the village has been a victim to its own success.

“Every time it’s nice weather, it’s busy,” a Holmfirth Road resident told Manchester Evening News. “They park on the side roads, on Hollins Lane. It’s just gridlocked.” 

Families have been enjoying a spring stroll around the reservoir with its gentle walk which can also be used as the starting point for a challenging hike around the Saddleworth moors.

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And due to its popularity, the reservoir car park is often overflowing, leaving visitors to park on side streets and outside homes in the village or illegally on grass verges and double yellow lines

This had led to “quite a few accidents” with people driving like “d***ckheads” according to resident Debbie Topkins who avoids Tesco at all costs on Fridays and weekends . 

Debbie, who lives at Hey Top, a row of cottages overlooking Dovestone, said: “You stock up in the week then stay in all weekend. That’s what most people do, because it takes 45 minutes to get to the main road.

“We get loads of walkers coming past gawking in the window. I’m getting quite rude in my old age, so I say to them ‘It’s five for a look, 10 for a stare’.

“But the parking and the access is the main thing. It’s mental. They drive like d***heads, they park all along the lane. You couldn’t get an ambulance up here if you needed one.”

Police and traffic wardens occasionally patrol the area issuing tickets to anyone caught parking illegally. 

Last month Louise Donnelly, who lives nearby to the reservoir, shared a video with the M.E.N. showing the area packed with cars while neighbours asked drivers to park considerately.

“Me and the neighbours are trying to get everybody to move from here but there is lots and lots of cars and they are starting to park down the lane. There are no wardens on,” she said at the time.

“We are telling people to move in case we need to get the emergency services through. However, we are getting shouted at, sworn at, and it’s the same story all the time. Something really needs to be done about it because it’s getting out of hand.”

In a statement earlier this month United Utilities, which owns the reservoir, said: “We remind all visitors to park considerately when visiting the recreation site and to be respectful to the local community and environment.”

“And there are quite a few accidents with people slowing down trying to find a parking place. But it’s a nice place for people to enjoy. I think people should be able to come and enjoy it, we just need better facilities.”

Other issues have been raised by some villages including the risks of moor fires by having barbecues and dogs being let off the lead and worrying the livestock. 

One villager told M.E.N: “”I never go,” she said. “I used to walk my dog there all the time, but there’s no pleasure in going any more.

“Every Saturday and Sunday it’s chokka block. They put double yellow lines down from here to the Yorkshire border, but people just ignore them.

“If there’s four of them in the car they just think ‘We’ll pay the £60 fine’. Yes, it’s for everyone but people just need to respect the countryside and the people who live here.”