Highly controversial plans to bring in car parking charges at a well-loved attraction have been dropped.
The proposal to bring in car parking charges at Rivington Reservoir had sparked furyfrom residents, visitors, town councillors and MPs.
But in a surprise move, United Utilities have just announced that they would be withdrawing an application to bring in the charges ahead of further talks.
A spokesperson said: "Our proposals for Rivington have always had a single aim: to improve the environment and visitor facilities across the estate.
"Any income generated through parking charges would be reinvested directly into Rivington, alongside our planned £2M investment programme.
“However, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised by local people and recognise that further consultation is needed.
"We have therefore decided to withdraw our planning applications to allow more time for dialogue with the community.
“We remain committed to delivering sustainable improvements at Rivington and look forward to working closely with local stakeholders as we review and reshape our plans.”
The plans submitted at the end of July this year had called for eight number-plate recognition cameras and four payment machines at various car parks around the reservoir.
Concerns had been raised at both Horwich Town Council, which had voted to put their objections collectively, and at Chorley Council.
Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, had argued that in 1902 Lord Leverhulme had intended the land to be used freely by the people of Bolton.
He said that introducing charges like this would have been against Lord Leverhulme’s wishes.
Cllr Grant said: "While I'm pleased that United Utilities have, for the moment, withdrawn the application, it is with some apprehension that they do state further in that statement that it is a pause whilst they engage with stakeholders.
“It is important to acknowledge that HBFI, as the lead campaign group against this, will accept no compromise whatsoever in relation to the gift by Lord Leverhulme which was free, open access to the public and for the estate to be maintained at United Utilities' expense.”
Bolton West MP Phil Brickell said he was glad that the campaign he and others had supported had paid off and that the charging plan had been dropped.
He said he hopes to meet with United Utilities soon to discuss access to greenspaces.
Mr Brickell said: “Following intervention from myself and other elected members across Chorley and Horwich, I’m pleased to see United Utilities withdraw the application for parking charges and pledge to go back to the drawing board with a full consultation.
“I will be taking United Utilities up on an invite to meet in the coming weeks to express my view that fair and equal access to greenspaces on our doorstep is a priority for me.
“Serious consideration also needs to be given to how parking charges will push problems into residential areas in my constituency.”
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