High Peak MP and councillor call for pre-emptive action at Harpur Hill 'blue lagoon' after summer chaos

Last summer brought disruption for village residents as huge numbers of people from all across the country descended on the area to visit what is actually a disused quarry full of toxic chemicals.

The influx of visitors brought widespread antisocial behaviour, heavy traffic and signs of extensive drug use.

Now MP Robert Largan and County Councillor Linda Grooby are pressing for measures to prevent a repeat of those scenes as the warmer weather returns.

Mr Largan said: “Last year was a nightmare for many Harpur Hill residents. We want the council and police to be proactive and plan ahead to protect local people from yet more misery.”

Coun Grooby, who is running for reelection in the Buxton North and East division in May, added: “It is vital we take every possible action to prevent a repeat of last summer’s chaos.

“Harpur Hill residents must be protected from the fallout caused by the numbers of visitors we saw.”

The site came to national attention after a number of Instagram ‘influencers’ posed for photos by the bright blue water.

The situation was made worse by media descriptions of it as a “local beauty spot”.

This despite the water having a similar PH level to bleach and being so dangerous that several dogs are thought to have died after visiting the area.

Over a Bank Holiday weekend in May, an estimated 2,000 people descended on the area, choking the roads and leaving litter everywhere in their wake.

Coun Grooby led efforts to tackle the issue, forming a multi-agency forum to try and help exasperated residents.

The county council eventually dyed the water black to discourage people from swimming in the water, and slurry from nearby farms was spread around the quarry to dissuade people from staying too long - leading some to rename the site the ‘poo lagoon’.

With the easing of lockdown and spring on the horizon, Mr Largan and Coun Grooby are calling for the forum to be re-established in advance to pre-empt any possible repeat.

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