More than 30 parking tickets were handed out at Dovestone Reservoir over the course of just one weekend this month, it has been revealed.

Last Saturday and Sunday, when temperatures hit 20C, traffic wardens issued 33 Penalty Charge Notices to drivers parked illegally at the site which is one of Oldham’s biggest attractions for visitors from outside the borough.

The amount of people who flock to the reservoir in the warmer months regularly results in a parking nightmare as demand often outstrips the number of official parking spaces.

There is legal parking for around 125 vehicles at the Bank lane and Binn Green car parks, but when full, people often park on the roadside and surrounding lanes to the frustration of residents.

In recent years double yellow lines have been made permanent on the roads and streets in the area to try and tackle the problem parking.

On Sunday, police in Saddleworth warned drivers that the double yellow lines “are there for a reason” and called on drivers to be considerate.

In a Facebook post, GMP Saddleworth and Lees wrote: “Traffic wardens are out and about at Dovestones and the surrounding areas today.

“Please be considerate with your parking double yellow lines are there for a reason.”

The post included a photograph of a line of cars parked on double-yellow lines with Penalty Charge Notices attached to their windscreen.

The Oldham Times: Cars parked illegally at Dovestone Reservoir Cars parked illegally at Dovestone Reservoir (Image: GMP)

Paul Clifford, director of economy at Oldham Council, said: “We want everyone to enjoy our green spaces and countryside - but we also ask that people respect the area and local residents.

“Sadly, problem parking is an issue at many beauty spots across the country, especially when the weather is good.

“The area around Dovestone is heavily used for parking during peak times and our wardens are regularly deployed there.

“However, our parking team have to cover the whole borough.

“On Saturday and Sunday, they issued 33 tickets to people who were illegally parked close to Dovestone.

“The council understands the frustration of residents and have installed measures, such as permanent double yellow lines on roads and streets in the area to try and ease the situation.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and work with partners.”

Saddleworth South councillor Graham Sheldon, who supported the introduction of permanent double yellow lines when they were being considered back in 2021, said: “The drivers who have been issued with a parking ticket must take full responsibility for parking inappropriately.

“Dovestones is a popular destination throughout the year, but the demand is greater during the summer months.

“Unfortunately, there is limited parking space near the reservoir and visitors have to use many of the side roads to visit this special place.

“Drivers must be thoughtful and park responsibly.

“They should also be aware that traffic enforcement officers are on duty at most times.”

United Utilities in partnership with Oldham Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), control the land at Dovestone Reservoir and have developed a visitor action plan to reduce the impact of high volumes of visitor traffic at the site.

As part of the plan the partnership funds car park marshalls who are deployed in the area during peak periods such as school holidays.

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In a statement earlier this year, a spokesperson from United Utilities said: “Whilst there will always be some days when traffic will be bad, on the whole it has felt like the situation has improved since the various Covid lockdowns. 

“The partnership isn’t resting on its laurels though and continues to meet regularly to review the current operation and discuss where further improvements can be made.”