Plan to charge at beauty spot angers locals

10:03pm Wednesday 13th February 2008

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A CAMPAIGNER is fighting against proposals to introduce parking charges at a much-loved beauty spot.

But water bosses say the fees, set to arrive at the start of April, will help to pay for improvements to Calf Hey Reservoir, off the Grane Road at Helmshore.

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Former councillor Noel O'Brien is convinced that the charges will only drive locals away from using the water haven - a popular site for ramblers and dog walkers - and has launched a petition against the United Utilities plans.

Mr O'Brien, 57, who lives in Helmshore, said: "I have been walking around the reservoir, for exercise, for around 30 years and now they are planning to introduce car park charges."

The 50p or £1 fee, depending on how long visitors remain at the reservoir, is similar to a scheme brought in at the nearby Clough Head reservoir.

But Mr O'Brien says the larger Clough Head site benefits from a visitors centre, employs rangers and is a much more developed tourist attraction.

He said: "Local people like to go up to the reservoir maybe two or three times a day and people, especially pensioners, will be driven away by this."

He believes that reservoir users would be willing to fund minor improvements for specific projects at the site if they saw where the money was being spent, but would remain opposed to car park charges.

United Utilities officials say they conducted surveys at Calf Hey last summer over four weekends - 34 agreed to participate and 23 said they would be prepared to pay the charge, in return for improvements there.

UU spokesman Christian Ewen said: "There are a number of reasons as to why the car parking charges are being introduced at Calf Hey Reservoir.

"Firstly, the company has a long-term vision to aspire to, which includes the sustainability of land management.

"The charges will be used towards infrastructure costs and maintenance and cover key issues such as litter and fly-tipping collection, grass-cutting, ranger services, biodiversity and heritage projects.

"The charges will also make a significant contribution towards future improvements for the reservoir's facilities."