People living near Dovestone Reservoir fear a return of the parking and traffic problems that plagued the area before last month's moorland fire, now that the site has reopened to the public.

The reservoir, near Greenfield in Oldham, was closed for over a month after a large area of moorland was destroyed by a fire that began on July 11. The major incident was stood down on August 3, and on August 20 it was announced that roads and the car park would reopen.

Residents say the area had become overwhelmed by visitors before the fire, with litter piled up, empty beer bottles left behind and barbecues lit despite a ban. Sarah White said cars blocked the roads so badly that "you couldn't even get through at the time."

Karen O'Connor, who lives on one of the worst affected roads, Bradbury's Lane, said: "I have been here 35 years and it was never like this. It's just so well advertised now. It's a nightmare and then you get abuse when you are trying to get back [home] and they think it's one way. It's really hard to describe how bad it is."

Residents on Bradbury's Lane have put up orange barriers to try to stop people parking, despite double yellow lines on the roads leading up to the reservoir. One woman said she had to queue for 40 minutes to get home, and that drivers had shouted and sworn at her because they thought she was queue skipping.

There are also concerns about access for emergency vehicles if roads are blocked. Karen O'Connor added: "If something happened to someone up here, they would just be stranded."

Natalie Wilde said the problems now occur all year round, with visitors coming from Yorkshire and further afield. "It's bad. Just litter everywhere. Barbecues everywhere. People who are not from the area, they do not respect it," she said.

She said she used to go litter picking regularly but does so less now. "They can see the signs. They just do not listen. It's horrible. I do not ride around Dovestone anymore but if I see litter, I will pick it up and put it in my bag," she said.

Oldham Council said traffic wardens are regularly deployed to the area. Last year 946 Penalty Charge Notices were issued around Dovestone Reservoir: 717 at the car park, 197 on Holmfirth Road, 18 on Bradbury Lane, eight on an access road off Bank Lane, three on Bank Lane and three on Hollins Lane.

A council spokesperson 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."

United Utilities has published an action plan aimed at tackling safety, litter and parking, including CCTV, fire rangers, improved paths and signage, and warnings about the dangers of the deep water. Jo Harrison, Asset Management Director at United Utilities, warned people against swimming in reservoirs, saying they have "hidden dangers" and are "often in remote locations which makes rescue difficult when people get into trouble."

The RSPB, which manages the area and took on the operation of the car park in summer 2026, said it recognises that high visitor numbers "can also create challenges for the landscape, facilities and surrounding communities." A spokesperson said: "We encourage visitors to park considerately, take their litter home and respect both the landscape and those who live and work nearby."

Councillor Helen Bishop, who represents Saddleworth South on Oldham Council, said the reopening may have come too soon. She said: "Although it is great to see people being able to access Dovestone again, especially the memorial forest, I still have deep-rooted concerns that this was too soon, and that a comprehensive plan of action to ensure the access and safety of residents, wildlife, the environment and visitors alike should have been decided and communicated first."