Marshals at Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs over Christmas

Yorkshire Water will employ marshals at Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs over the Christmas period in the expectation of increased visitor numbers.

People seeking solace from lockdown restrictions have flocked to the two reservoirs during 2020, but it has put pressure on their three car parks, with reports of people parking on nearby verges instead.

Marshals will offer advice to visitors on safety issues, including parking, and will encourage people to head to nearby reservoirs Thruscross or Lindley Wood if the car parks become too full.

They are also able to escalate issues to the Yorkshire Water Control Centre, or the police, if necessary.

They will be present as Fewston (Blubberhouses) car park, Swinsty Moor car park, and Swinsty Stack Point car park.

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A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“We know how important the outdoors and our reservoirs are to people at the moment. Over the Christmas period we know people will be looking for outdoor spaces to meet their loved ones safely.

“We expect a lot of visitors to Fewston and Swinsty, so there will be additional Yorkshire Water reps on site to remind people about social distancing, let them know about safety works taking place at Swinsty, and ensure people are parking responsibly.”

Yorkshire Water announced last month a section of footpath at Swinsty would close for 18 months to allow the company to undertake £6 million safety works.

A temporary footpath has been created but the Stray Ferret has been contacted by walkers who say the path is already “too muddy to walk”.

Blubberhouses church set for Christmas tree festival

A church in Blubberhouses will be decorated with Christmas trees this weekend as part of a festival to lift spirits after a tough year.

Mulled wine and mince pies will also be available to help visitors enjoy the experience at St Andrew’s Church, which is just off the A59 and close to Fewston reservoir parking.

Volunteers, parishioners and a local craft group have come together to trim a selection of trees and work on the homemade decorations.

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The event is free to attend. The church will be open for the festival from 11am to 4pm both days this weekend.

Besides the festive trees, there are also takeout refreshments on offer for any walkers in the area this weekend.

Cars back up at Harrogate district’s beauty spots as walkers come out in force

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