Yorkshire Water release update on re-opening of car parks at reservoirs

Yorkshire Water is still discouraging visitors from travelling to its managed reservoirs.
Swinsty ReservoirSwinsty Reservoir
Swinsty Reservoir

Despite the government lifting restrictions on household groups travelling outside of their neighbourhood for exercise, many landowners and organisations are still restricting access for vehicles to limit the number of visitors to popular sites and ensure social distancing can be adhered to.

Yorkshire Water owns a large number of reservoirs in Yorkshire, many of which have managed car parks and visitor facilities. Although paths have remained open for walkers and cyclists who live nearby during the lockdown, car parks will remain closed.

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People have been warned not to drive to reservoirs and there have already been instances of large numbers of cars blocking the road at Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham, which is not managed by Yorkshire Water but subject to the same restrictions on parking.

A statement from Yorkshire Water said: "Our reservoir car parks are still currently closed while we create a plan to adapt to changes in the government guidelines. Once we’ve reviewed the changes we’ll let everyone know what’s happening.

"In the meantime, we’re happy for local residents to continue to enjoy walking around their local reservoir but please ensure that social distancing rules are observed.

"Please don’t drive to our reservoirs as the car parks are still closed and inappropriate parking impacts our ability to access the reservoir safely as well as disrupting local residents."

Which reservoirs are closed?

Ardsley, near Wakefield

Baitings, near Ripponden

Brayton Barff, Vale of York

Digley, near Holmfirth

Embsay, near Skipton

Fewston, between Otley and Harrogate

Grimwith, near Pateley Bridge

Langsett, near Stocksbridge

Ogden Water, near Halifax

Ramsden, near Huddersfield

Ryburn, near Ripponden

Scar House, Nidderdale

Scammonden, near Huddersfield

Swinsty, near Harrogate

Thornton Steward, between Leyburn and Bedale

Thruscross, near Harrogate

Tophill Low, near Hutton Cranswick

Widdop and Gorple, near Hebden Bridge

Winscar, near Penistone

Withens Clough, near Hebden Bridge

Cod Beck, near Northallerton

Rivelin Lakes, near Sheffield

Scout Dike, near Penistone