Dove Stone residents fear parking ‘nightmare’ after beauty spot reopens

People living near a Greater Manchester beauty spot fear a return to a “nightmare” of car-jammed roads and litter after the area reopened following a wildfire.

Dove Stone reservoir, near Greenfield in Oldham reopened last week after the blaze burned for more than three weeks.

Residents said the area had previously been plagued by obstructed roads, while visitors also left litter and lit barbecues, raising concerns about access for emergency vehicles – and now they fear a return of the same issues.

Oldham Council said wardens patrolled the area and issued 946 penalty charge notices around the reservoir in 2025. The RSPB, which manages the attraction’s car park, said it understood the concerns.

The wildfire began on 11 July and was declared a major incident, with people told to avoid the area while firefighters tackled the blaze.

The incident was stood down on 3 August, although crews remained at the scene for days afterwards.