Police issue warning over illegal parking at Dovestones as drivers handed fines

Drivers have been issued with a warning over illegal parking near Dovestones as police issued fines on Sunday (June 4).

The popular reservoir is known for attracting huge crowds of visitors throughout the summer months, however parking chaos and angry rows with local residents due to limited spacing has been documented over recent years.

And last week, the Manchester Evening News reported how the car parks at the beauty spot, which only have spots for around 125 vehicles, showed queues of people scrambling for a space with others leaving their cars parked diagonally at the entrance.

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In a post on Sunday (June 4), as weather in the region hit 20C, Greater Manchester Police shared an image of a number of cars parked on double-yellow lines near to Dovestones that had subsequently been issued with Penalty Charge Notices.

The Saddleworth and Lees page 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."

Last month, nearby residents hit out at 'dangerous' and 'illegal' parking at the attraction, on the border with the Peak District, as the warm weather brought people from far and wide.

Fed up locals called the situation a 'nightmare' and claimed they had even been 'shouted and sworn' at when approaching motorists.

In previous years marshals have been brought in to control the traffic, with many people being turned away, while at other times dozens have been slapped with fines for parking their cars on grass verges or blocking residential lanes.