By midday more than 50 cars were parked on the verges around Swinsty reservoir today. It was a similar picture at Thruscross. It’s the first day since the seven week lockdown that people have been allowed to drive to take exercise and many took full advantage of the new rules.
The new guidelines conflict with the wishes of North Yorkshire County Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Yorkshire Water which owns the reservoirs and their adjacent car parks. All clearly do not want people to drive out into the countryside at this stage.
Like others the Stray Ferret spoke to at Swinsty today, Rachel Wesson and her son, Rory, had driven up from Leeds to walk their dog.
“We’ve been doing the same walk for a long time now, we live in a built up area and it’s nice to have a proper day out. We have brought a picnic. When I saw the car park was shut though I did wonder if it was alright to come but I know we are allowed to do this”
Rachel Wesson and her son Rory at a picnic table this lunchtime at Swinsty reservoir
This, though, is the problem for the parish council. Graham Hebblethwaite, the chairman of Washburn Parish Council, says that with car parks shut and people continually arriving, even during lockdown, it has given them a real problem with access and wrecked verges.
Graham Hebblethwaite, chairman of Washburn Parish Council at the top of the lane leading down to Swinsty
He says they now want Yorkshire Water to open the car parks:
“People park on both sides of the road – even across gates. The police have been around many times even during lockdown but nothing seems to happen. The car parks should have been opened today to stop all the mayhem”.
Fewston Parochial Hall near to the reservoirs where they’ve had to put NO PARKING signs up
