Walkers urged to follow social distancing rules at Wigan beauty spots

Pictures show crowds parked on the main road at Fairy Glen in Appley Bridge while the car park at Haigh Woodland Park was also said to be crowded over the weekend.

Walkers also ventured out in big numbers to The Line in Standish to get their daily exercise.

Under the rules, people can exercise outdoors once a day and meet one other person from another household in an open public space to do this.

However they should stay local which means staying in the village, town, or part of the city where they live.

Residents are now being warned to follow social distancing and other Covid-19 rules.

Warning people to respect The Line in Standish, Paul Ogden, from residents’ group Standish Voice, said: “It is a great facility but the numbers of people enjoying a walk in lockdown means that everyone needs to show respect and tolerance.

“So respect social distancing, don’t walk in groups and put dogs on leads when other people or pets are around.”

While one resident, who asked not to be named, criticised parking near Fairy Glen.

She said: “I ran past Fairy Glen and the amount of people parking on the main road is ridiculous and dangerous.

“I even saw someone doing a U-turn on this busy road. People parking like this makes it dangerous for people who live in the area as they are blocking the footpath.

“Groups of people were meeting for walks too and not social distancing.”

Another resident reported seeing “around 100 cars” in the car park at Haigh Woodland Park, going onto raise concerns about the number of people congregating in the area and not socially distancing.

A council spokesman said: “We continue to urge residents to follow public health advice and to stay at home as much as possible.

“If residents do go out for essential reasons including exercise then they should stay local.

“It’s vital we all continue to do our bit to help reduce the spread of the virus.”