Above: Memorial benches provide places to rest and take in the wonderful views. So why does UU no longer allow them?
I often receive messages from people asking how they could go about installing a bench or a plaque in memory of a loved one in the Goyt Valley. Sheridan wrote recently to say:
My nanna sadly passed away recently. She loved coming to the Goyt Valley. Her first son died at 13 years old and he would come here with my nanna and say it was heaven on earth. I have grown up coming here and have many memories. Most recently, it would be me driving my nana through the Goyt Valley. It would be so meaningful to be able to put a plaque somewhere.. for her and my uncle.. I was wondering how I’d go about this and who I’d contact?
I explain that I don’t have anything to do with the management of the valley. And tell them that unfortunately the land-owners, United Utilities, no longer give their permission. Which I think is a great pity as I’d quite like to leave a bench myself.
The most recent bench I’ve seen is dated 2017, and there may be later ones. I haven’t been able to discover why UU have changed their policy.* But it does give the impression that the company doesn’t have much respect for the many people who visit the valley, and would rather we all stayed away.
Another example of how little the company cares for visitors is the absence of public toilets. There were some at the bottom of the Bunsal Incline (above), but the Gents was demolished some years ago and the Ladies has been locked and out of order for a similar period.
Notices have appeared at the main carpark which may signify that parking charges will soon be introduced. If that’s going to happen, the very least UU could do is provide toilets. I doubt they’d cost much more than the hideous eyesore they’ve recently installed along the bridge near Errwood Hall carpark.
I assume the fencing is to prevent anyone from leaping off into the reservoir. But since the bridge has been there since Errwood was flooded over 50 years ago, and as far as I know no one has drowned or been injured by making the jump, it does seem like health and safety gone mad.
Sorry for the moan. But I do think United Utilities could do far more to improve facilities for visitors. Especially if they are going to introduce parking charges.
*UU recently removed a memorial bench without telling the family, explaining that there was an over-hanging branch which could have dropped on unwary sitters. The more obvious solution would have been to cut down the branch. Since there are so many trees in the valley, I wonder whether health and safety is the reason they no longer seem to encourage visitors.
Page update: 24th April 2023: The situation with discarded poop bags littering the footpaths is getting significantly worse. I think there are only two waste bins in the valley – both at the northern end of Fernilee Reservoir. And both were overflowing when I went that way this morning. It’s only going to get worse as the weather improves and more people visit.
This fence looks like it was put up to deter youths from jumping in. We were there one evening and it looked like they were enjoying themselves!!! One of them was in a small inflatable boat in case something went wrong. Let them get on with it!
Agree with all you’ve said. We laugh at old fashioned “prohibition”, yet so much of it is still going on, and clearly very costly in the case of these barriers, which spoil the bridge. We assumed there must have been a few suicides! The free parking in the Goyt is a blessing in a world where we charge for every little bit of convenience or pleasure and I’m dismayed at the idea of charging. And the benches need to come back.
Thanks for the lovely guide and video which I found really helpful to have a delicious stroll today. I too wondered slightly about the serious fencing… and yes, good point about free parking – I hadn’t thought of that, but sort of eases things. Very grateful the rain took a break too… (can recommend Swan pub – good for fish – near by – Kettleshulme afterwards for a ‘posh’ lunch if that’s what you’d like).
I agree more needs to be done to make Goyt more hospitable to visitors. But in my opinion as a professional ecologist, far more needs to be done to conserve the biodiversity of Goyt Valley. It’s an ecological gem, and the unregulated use of land by dog-walkers in particular is highly concerning. The whole valley is a SSSI, as well as in part being an SPA and SAC. Which are all highly important destinations.
It seems to have gone under the Wildlife Trust’s and RSPB’s radar somehow… whether this is to do with UU and the way they manage the land or not I don’t know. I’m not for a second saying we should discourage people from using the Valley for recreation. I just think better signage, a much better effort to educate people about Goyt’s ecological importance and certain areas cut off from the public for conservation reasons are all desperately needed.
In terms of facilities, some proper toilets and bird hides would be great.
You make an excellent point about Tittesworth, David. I feel that the balance between welcoming visitors and the conservation of wildlife is struck well there. Another fantastic example of this is also Carsington Water, where there are excellent visitor facilities and also some areas kept for conservation only- also managed by STW of course.
It seems like perhaps the most effective way forward would be to significantly improve the visitor facilities whilst also improving some habitats and leaving some (albeit limited) areas to the birds/wildlife only. I’m certain there would be a way for to achieve this so that everybody would benefit.