To think it's ridiculous that people are still flocking to 'beauty spots'

[AiryFairyMum]

Last weekend parking tickets were issued because of all the selfish parking at Dovestones reservoir near Manchester. Lots of pavement parking etc.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/drivers-slapped-fines-people-flock-19596560

This weekend the same thing happened again. AIBU to think people should just walk near where they live, and not drive to walk, then park badly because the car parks are full with others doing the same. Yes, I understand the need for exercise, but no-one NEEDS to go on days out.

Saddleworth moved to Oldham from Yorkshire in 1974....

And they say that as saddleworth is Yorkshire Oldham people cant visit this is ridiculous the police have even confirmed this

Yes and No.

What is lacking is common sense and basic respect. Adding to an existing packed area and parking like a twat, is not ok in any shape or form.

Driving to a quiet area - until you find one if you have to - makes a lot more sense than walking right on your doorstep when you live in a populated area. Adding to the local crowds make no sense either.

I'd rather drive and find somewhere where my kids can run around and we meet next to no one. The definition of "locally" is far too vague and would only work if some people were not idiots.

@AiryFairyMum Of course YANBU.

I did laugh this morning though. When me and DH went for a walk yesterday (in our village,) around 15-18 cyclists whizzed past us at full pelt, (in groups of 3 and 4, over a five minute time window.)

They nearly gunned us down, and also nearly collided with 2 young mums with babies in pushchairs, and also a lady with limited eyesight and her dog, and 2 horses and their riders. God knows how many others they nearly collided with on their cycling jolly!

I saw on the local news today that 17 cyclists (from a town 20 miles from me,) had received fixed penalty fines for being 20 miles from home with no good reason. And it was 2 miles outside our village that they were all stopped! 😂

Oh how I larfed!

Couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of people! 😂

@billybagpuss

I think the only way to stop this is to have clearer guidelines, they should set a no one may travel more than 10 miles from their home with very strict exceptions:

Medical, proof of appointment required
Care duties
Escape from violence

Clear, objective, provable then no excuses.

problem with definitive guidelines is that it depends where you live - if you are very remote, 10 miles might get you to the 'local' supermarket - it probably gives me a choice of 1000's. Nice spaces to go for a walk - less so for me.

Some numpty on the radio was waffling on about restricting people to their own borough/council area. I live at the edge of a central London Borough, I can think of five other boroughs within a one mile radius, several of them a lot less distant.

I find it ironic that Manchester Evening News is complaining about people 'flocking' when they published articles listing Dovestones as a place to visit during lockdown, and promoted them on Facebook.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ten-bits-countryside-around-manchester-18326855

@AiryFairyMum
Shame that logic doesn't apply to Boris.
Maybe Stratford is the new place to get your eyes tested?

I live at the bottom of one of the best sledging slopes in Snowdonia and I've voted YABU.

If all the things people can do to maintain their physical and mental health, and that of their children, right now exercise outdoors, even in beauty spots is one of the safest activities.

Surely if people are able to continue doing this they are less likely to spend time doing more risky things like having friends around their house or wandering the shops just for the sake of it.

[quote EveryDayIsADuvetDay]@AiryFairyMum
Shame that logic doesn't apply to Boris.
Maybe Stratford is the new place to get your eyes tested?[/quote]
He's not one to talk, no. But there are loads of us trying to do the right thing, and it's frustrating that others aren't. It feels like we'll be in lockdown forever because some people aren't following the rules/guidance/common sense.

[quote EveryDayIsADuvetDay]@AiryFairyMum
Shame that logic doesn't apply to Boris.
Maybe Stratford is the new place to get your eyes tested?[/quote]
I don't think 7 miles is very far though. I can easily walk 7 miles or more on a dog walk.

I saw on the local news today that 17 cyclists (from a town 20 miles from me,) had received fixed penalty fines for being 20 miles from home with no good reason.

I would imagine the fines were for mixing with more than one person from different households. There is no law (assuming you’re in England) that someone is breaking by riding a bike that far for exercise.

I do have access to some 'good' parks, the seaside and countryside if we are willing to walk about 2.5 miles for the last two so at the moment we don't drive anywhere but I heard an old man being interviewed on the radio who said he has to drive about a mile and then take a walk as his asthma is set off by the local pollution. I think it is surely 'ok' for someone in their 80's to do that, he would simply not go out otherwise.

YANBU

But as with the “people should shop alone” thread, everyone breaking the rules has excuses why they’re extra special and rules don’t apply to them (often while being horrified at others doing the same)

People are selfish.

I would say though I don't want to go to the beach as it is too busy. I think it is about common sense as that is permitted but having seen how dense it is I don't think it is a good idea.

@Goldenbear

I do have access to some 'good' parks, the seaside and countryside if we are willing to walk about 2.5 miles for the last two so at the moment we don't drive anywhere but I heard an old man being interviewed on the radio who said he has to drive about a mile and then take a walk as his asthma is set off by the local pollution. I think it is surely 'ok' for someone in their 80's to do that, he would simply not go out otherwise.

There's an elderly lady who goes for a long walk every day (rain, shine or snow) along the canal path by my house. She walks very slowly and steadily with her head down, I've wondered if she might have had a stroke. A couple of times I've seen her resting on a bench reading a book. Shock! Horror! I say good for her!

[quote kittykarate]I find it ironic that Manchester Evening News is complaining about people 'flocking' when they published articles listing Dovestones as a place to visit during lockdown, and promoted them on Facebook.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ten-bits-countryside-around-manchester-18326855[/quote]
Yes MEN actively promote Dovestones there are issues at Dovestones but honestly the nastiness has been awful. I dare not go into the saddleworth villages eg uppermill which is on my doorstep as if you commit a perceived transgression its photographed and on Facebook five minutes later

I was with you until I read the response about shops etc which is quite right. I’m lucky enough to live near both mountains and a beach. Both communities are up in arms about people driving to visit each yet they all come to my central town to do their shopping which is just as bad really.

Dovestones is like that most weekends, pandemic or no pandemic. It’s time the council did something about it.

@FlyMyPrettiesFly

Dovestones is like that most weekends, pandemic or no pandemic. It’s time the council did something about it.

It honestly was ok yesterday there were even car parking spaces on the site itself which is unusual

CaptainMyCaptain, I don't think it is black and white. I don't think he is selfish for doing that. We are talking a mile or so in a car. People run further than that when they are young and able.

@Goldenbear

CaptainMyCaptain, I don't think it is black and white. I don't think he is selfish for doing that. We are talking a mile or so in a car. People run further than that when they are young and able.

I agree with you.

@Brighterthansunflowers

YANBU

But as with the “people should shop alone” thread, everyone breaking the rules has excuses why they’re extra special and rules don’t apply to them (often while being horrified at others doing the same)

People are selfish.

But they are not breaking the rules.

Seriously (if you are England) there are no rules about where you can and can't go.

I think lots of people fail to recognise what families do at the weekend normally and how limited options are.
At this time of year we as a family would normally have a kids football game Saturday morning, indoor cricket training pm, Sunday am other child at football game, youngest at rugby.... Visit friends/family/kids party/go swimming Sunday afternoon...
We can't do any of that....
so we go on a family walk or bike ride to keep kids moving and off electronics...

In the week we walk from our house.. At the weekend, for variety, we drive less than 10 miles to different locations for a longer walk... All locations are different councils (as ours has little walking opportunities for the number of people so very congested), we park properly, socially distance and take our rubbish home.
I'm sick of these type of posts moaning

I don't know who the locals are being abusive but I'm definitely not one of them, nor do I think Saddleworth is in Yorkshire. It's definitely Oldham/Greater Manchester. But I don't think the county lines matter - it's the bad parking and driving that bothers me.

Don't have a problem with people driving to places to walk, do have a problem with shit ignorant parking.

Covid lockdown bootlicker wankers who expect you to do laps of your garden as your only exercise, like some sort of Victorian era gaol exercise regime can do one.