BARNSLEY beauty spots which have been teeming with visitors during the country’s third spell of lockdown warrant urgent police attention as rules are not being followed, fed-up locals have claimed.
Sheer numbers are creating problems around Ingbirchworth’s reservoir and Cawthorne, with dog and general waste bins left overflowing by walkers.
The reservoir was already in the spotlight with residents angrily claiming that badly-parked vehicles were making life difficult – especially for mums trying to get by with pushchairs.
The situation has reached boiling point and Gunthwaite and Ingbirchworth Parish Council decided to ask Yorkshire Water to create a dedicated car park to ease pressure for nearby homeowners.
Chairman David Edmondson said: “We had thought that dog and litter bin provision was enough, but it has become more of a problem around the reservoir with people coming down from cafes with takeaway coffee cups and such leaving the bins overflowing.
“We have been in touch with Yorkshire Water and they are responsive to our situation. They understand the problems and suggest a meeting later in the year, possibly with police and Barnsley Council’s highways department to look at the problem.
“We are glad they have clearly taken the matter seriously. A start has been made and it is positive.
Under strict rules – which are in law until a minimum of March 31 – people must not leave home unless necessary.
Leaving home is allowed for shopping for basic necessities, going to work, providing voluntary or charitable services and to exercise.
Parish councillors in nearby Cawthorne are teaming up with Barnsley Council as its beauty spots have also been impacted by large amounts of visitors, particularly on weekends.
A total of £5,000 for traffic management projects has been set aside already, and this amount is being matchfunded by Barnsley Council as a big lure has been the local authority-owned Cannon Hall and its grounds.
