Beauty spot closed after ‘large’ visiting
POPULAR beauty spot Hollingworth lake was closed on Sunday following an ‘extraordinarily large’ number of visitors.
It comes as several parks and beauty spots across the north have closed or begun restricting access as visitors flout coronavirus social distancing advice.
The warm weather and the prospect of weeks of isolation have seen beauty spots thronged on the weekend.
But the authorities say the crowds are putting lives at risk.
That has led councils, police forces and tourist boards across Greater Manchester - and further afield - to urge people to stay at home.
Coun Janet Emsley, of Rochdale council, tweeted: “Unfortunately due to an extraordinarily large number of visitors at Hollingworth Lake it has become necessary to follow the @nationaltrust approach & close the Country Park today to facilitate social distancing.
“Obvs not possible to physically stop visitors but public toilets & playgrounds will be locked; we are asking Royds to remove the ice cream van today.
“Notices will be displayed on entrances & info posted on social media; websites will be updated.”
And cars lined the country lanes at Dovestones Reservoir in Saddleworth prompting police to issue a warning to drivers.
GMP Saddleworth and Lees wrote on Facebook: “We fully understand the communities concerns around the volume of visitors who came to the Dovestone site over this weekend.
“Volume far outstrips the availability for parking and this is an annual issue which we along with OLDHAM Council try to negate and manage.
“If you are coming to the Dovestone area today please DO NOT park on Holmfirth Road.
“This is causing danger to road users and we will take action against vehicle owners who abandon their vehicles on verges contravening road traffic law.
“If the Marshals direct vehicles away from Bank Lane at Dovestone it will be because there is no parking available.”