This weekend the Yorkshire Dales will again be a place for households and key workers to come to walk, cycle and get some fresh air. A place to clear their heads and recharge their batteries.
For the National Park to be a safe place to do all these things we would ask everyone to follow social distancing guidance, to only travel in household groups, to avoid busy places, town and village centres, and to only park in car parks.
Carl Lis, Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said:
“National Park Authority car parks and toilets are open, and our car park capacity will be regularly updated in order to help people avoid busy locations. Authority car parks remain free to NHS staff and social carers.
“Most local businesses still remain closed, including cafés, restaurants, pubs, and many local shops, which means visitors will need to be self-sufficient. But please don’t bring BBQs as the land is tinder dry and there is a real fire risk. Finally:
Respect the Land – Exercise within your limitations to keep pressure off local resources, and know the countryside code. Take care to respect the plants and wildlife which have thrived during lockdown.
Respect the Community – We recognise that many in the local community are amongst some of the most vulnerable groups of people. Many still need to self-isolate. While walking, please keep a safe distance from homes, schools, and farms.
Respect each Other – Stay two metres apart, keep within your family/household groups, and avoid gathering in Dales towns and villages where many of the shops and services remain closed. Finally, be kind and respect one another – whether visitor or local.
Please ask people to take all their rubbish away. Thank you
Please remind visitors of the extreme risk of wildfires
If only people would stick to this we were initiated with motorcycles all weekend going into our shops not social distancing There has been rubbish thrown everywhere if they want to be treated like adults then follow the guidance We have been self isolating for over 7 weeks yet people can come from all over and act like nothing has happened very infuriating for all concerned
Would be nice for people to take all the rubbish home with them aswell
I went on my usual walk today and came home with a full bag of rubbish from visitors
you could have included ” Take your litter home with you.Please ” There’s been a massive increase in litter, particularly plastic bottles and crisp packets. in the last week. Is it just me who has noticed it perhaps because I’m something of a litter nerd.
If anyone can’t follow those simple rules they should stay away..
The dales are so beautiful. Excellent that people can now visit and have access to toilet facilities. People just need to carry on social distancing which and take their litter with them.
From the top of Coverdale we are aghast at how many people cannot read a map and have recently been looking for Scar House reservoir for a quick swim! Firstly we say they’re in the wrong Dale ( round trip to top of Nidderdale approx 1.5 hrs) ..and secondly the bridlepath between Horsehouse and Arkleside is just that, not even that great for 4x4s and scramblers, certainly not a VW Polo driven by a women with only Google maps on her phone as navigation. Unbelievably daft and irresponsible “ exercising” behaviour!