Reddish Vale Country Park, a 161-hectare green corridor running along the River Tame in Stockport, has come under pressure during recent hot spells as visitors light barbecues, start fires and leave behind increasing amounts of rubbish.
Local concerns escalated at area committee
At a Stockport Council Reddish area committee meeting on July 27, members of the public and councillors described the situation as overwhelming. Angela Dennerley raised a public question highlighting repeated incidents of fires, barbecues, discarded waste and antisocial behaviour, saying the sheer volume of litter during warm weather had "totally overwhelmed the Vale".
"The use of barbecues and fires is totally unacceptable and unsafe. The number of barbecues is totally overwhelming down there with the fire risk and rubbish left behind."
Councillors acknowledged the park's popularity — it links Stockport town centre with Denton and Woodley and includes areas designated as local nature reserve — but stressed that protecting the site is a complex task that touches on parking, signage and bin provision.
Council actions and limits
Councillor Rachel Wise told the meeting new signs had been installed to deter people from lighting barbecues, while emphasising the council must balance practical measures with the realities of managing a large, popular public space. She also urged personal responsibility, stressing that visitors should take their rubbish home: "If you brought it into the park, you know you can carry it."
Councillor James Frizzell said he regularly receives complaints about fires and barbecues and urged people to treat the Vale as a space for everybody, leaving only footprints behind.
- Park size: 161 hectares
- Location: Along the River Tame, linking Stockport town centre with Denton and Woodley
- Management: Stockport Council
| Issue | Raised by | Council response |
|---|---|---|
| Barbecues and open fires | Public / local councillors | New signage to deter barbecues |
| Litter and overflowing bins | Resident Angela Dennerley | Discussion about bin provision and management |
| Parking and access management | Councillors | Under consideration; noted as complicated |
What this means for visitors
Reddish Vale is a valued green space for walks, wildlife and views across the valley. Those who use it should be aware that the council is under pressure to find practical solutions, and in the short term the message from elected members is clear: avoid lighting fires or barbecues in the park, take litter home if bins are full, and respect the space so it remains open and safe for everyone.
Longer-term measures — whether more bins, stricter enforcement or changes to parking — were described as complicated and likely to require further discussion. In the meantime, councillors urged residents to help protect the Vale by behaving responsibly and reporting incidents when safety is at risk.
Reddish Vale remains managed by Stockport Council and includes areas of local nature reserve; any policy changes would be carried out through the council's usual processes.
