WALKERS around one of Saddleworth’s main attractions face days of diversions.
United Utilities will be resurfacing the area over the dam between Dove Stone and Yeoman Hey Reservoirs for 11 days.
That means walkers will not be able to complete a circular route between certain hours.
An important notice from the body responsible for the area’s water supply treads: “The pathway across the dam at Dove Stone Reservoir will be closed between 9am and 4pm from Monday, January 19 until Friday, January 30 due to essential maintenance works.”
A sign placed at the affected areas reads: “Dovestone Dam Road will be undergoing essential maintenance works from Monday, January 19 until Friday, January 30, 2026.
“The road will be closed between 9am and 4pm each day to allow resurfacing works to take place.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause; we hope you understand the need for this work to take place.”
That area of the path around Dove Stone is prone to large puddles gathering after wet weather and was closed in 2023 for major work.
Indeed, part of it approaching the dam is currently very muddy following significant rainfall.
United Utilities has drawn up the Dovestone Action Plan, with the aim to ‘improve the experience of visitors and to minimise the impact on residents.’
It entails several sections, including the priorities of safety of local residents, the community and users of the site and reducing the impact of high volumes of visitor traffic on local residents and the community.
It promises no proactive advertising of the area, other than in relation to specific business activities.
Consideration of the development of an online pre-booking system for parking spaces is also on its agenda, along with possibly introducing park and ride options for the Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne areas.
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