When most Mancs think of going for a walk around a reservoir, their minds will leap to Dovestones on the edge of the Peak District, or maybe Rivington, or even Ladybower Reservoir just off Snake Pass.
But to anyone who has yet to venture to one of Rochdale’s finest bodies of water, you’re really missing out.
Greenbooth Reservoir is one of Greater Manchester’s most underrated country walks, and it’s got a bit of everything.
There’s the water – obviously – but also a hidden waterfall, easy-to-follow walking routes, and incredible views all the way to Manchester in the distance.
At this time of year, the leaves on the trees burn in a hundred shades of orange, yellow and red, and the golden hour light reflects beautifully off the water.
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Along the walk, you’ll encounter sheep, huge wind turbines, and staggering vistas.
Greenbooth in summer. Credit: The Manc GroupGreenbooth in the autumn
The site is actually made up of four reservoirs – Naden Higher, Naden Middle, Naden Lower and Greenbooth reservoir – sandwiched in the Naden Valley above Norden.
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The working reservoirs are under the care of United Utilities, and there’s a free-of-charge car park for visitors to take advantage of.
From the car park, you can walk in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction – either walking through the trees to the southern-most point of Greenbooth Reservoir, or heading to the point where the Lower and Middle Naden reservoirs meet.
The biggest loop here goes around all four expanses of water, with the footpath essentially carved into the hillside in places and small footbridges leaping over streams.
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In the south-western tip of Greenbooth Reservoir, where there now stands an estate of huge houses, is a waterfall that cascades down the rocks into the water below.
You can see it from the footpath and from the bridges around, but be careful of trying to get too close – it can get a bit muddy and treacherous.
You’ll need to take similar care if you fancy your chances with the sloping patch of grass leading up to Naden Higher, which can get seriously slippy when it’s been raining.
There are secrets hiding beneath the surface of the water too – a sunken 1950s village, which before it was flooded was made up of around 80 cottages, a sweet shop, a Co-op store and a school.
Greenbooth village was abandoned and mostly demolished to make way for the reservoir, which was needed for the booming population in Rochdale.
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If you’re keen to head out for some fresh air, this AllTrails map will help you find your way.
Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s major central train stations could be set to close to the public for more than two years.
Hundreds of trains pass through Manchester Oxford Road each week, but that could soon be set to change, as Network Rail has today launched a public consultation on plans to carry out major upgrades at the station in a bid to “deliver improvements” for passengers and the wider rail network.
Upgrades include longer platforms, track and signalling improvements, and even the construction of a new station footbridge.
Proposed track layout and signalling improvements would reduce congestion by removing conflicting train movements, while overhead line equipment would also be upgraded, as well as over 900m of new track being laid.
Accessibility would also be improved throughout the station, with the proposed new footbridge increasing movement space for passengers and new lifts allowing step-free access to all platforms.
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Wider resurfaced platforms, and improvements to existing lifts are also planned.
Network Rail says the aim of the public consultation is to “give everyone the opportunity to review outline proposals” and to “provide their views” so that these can be taken into account and inform further design.
Feedback is being invited on all scheme elements – such as design, construction, and the impacts of the scheme on the rail network, environment and community.
Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb / Credit: Northern
Speaking on the consultation as it launched today, Councillor Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have said for a long time that Oxford Road Station is in need of a range of improvements from easing the congestion, increasing capacity, improving reliability and ensuring that the station is accessible for all commuters.
“Any future development will be a long-term project but infrastructure upgrades like these are essential if we are to continue growing Manchester as the leading city of the North.”
The first round of consultation will run up until 28 February, both online via the feedback form available at here, as well as at two drop-in events at Friends’ Meeting House, on Mount Street in the city centre, on Saturday 1 February from 11am-4pm, and Monday 17 February from 2pm-7pm.
A second round of consultation is due to take place before the end of 2025, and once both consultations have been considered, Network Rail is looking to submit the applications needed to build the scheme next year.
Featured Image – Network Rail
News
Public urged to use NHS services the ‘normal way’ after busiest winter week for jam-packed hospitals
Emily Sergeant
The public is being urged to use NHS services in ‘normal way’ this winter after hospitals experience their busiest winter week.
New data published by the NHS last week shows that more hospital beds were occupied during the first full week of the year (6-12 January 2025) than at any point so far this winter – with 97,636 adult general and acute hospital beds occupied, which equates to 96%.
In that same week, it was believed that almost one in seven occupied hospital beds (13,585) were taken up by patients who were fit to be discharged.
This meant it was officially the busiest week of the winter season so far for the NHS.
New NHS data reveals that last week saw the highest number of hospital beds occupied so far this winter, with 96% of adult general and acute beds in use.
Flu rates are still 3.5 times higher than last year, with 4,929 patients in hospital with flu on average each day of the week until 12 January, 1,112 patients across the UK were in hospital with COVID, and there was also 650 norovirus patients too, which is up 4% on the previous week and up a whopping 44% on last year.
With the cold weather set to continue and create “enormous pressure” on frontline services, it’s predicted that many hospitals could declare critical incidents.
While the NHS says it did learn from last year, and put in place measures to manage extra demand this time around, including upgraded 24-hour co-ordination centres, support for frequent users of A&E services, strengthening same day emergency care, providing more care in the community, and delivering 29 million vaccines since the autumn, there’s still more that needs to be done.
The public is being urged to use NHS services the ‘normal way’ after its busiest winter week / Credit: Pxhere
Professor Julian Redhead, who is the National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care at the NHS, said it’s “vital” that the public uses the health service in the “normal way” over the coming months.
“While it is encouraging news that flu cases are no longer increasing, hospitals are not out of the woods yet,” Professor Redhead said.
“Staff are working incredibly hard in sometimes challenging surroundings, but winter viruses are much higher than usual for this time of year, and this coupled with the cold snap and problems discharging patients means hospitals are jam-packed with patients – even as more beds have been opened to manage increased demand.
“With pressures on hospitals still formidable, it’s vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way.
“[This means] using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
Daisy Jackson -
25th November 2022 
