Ahead of changes to lockdown rules in England next week, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has updated its guidance for visitors and residents.
Neil Heseltine, Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said:
“From Monday March 29th everyone should follow the Government guidance to minimise travel and not to stay overnight.
“We’re already looking forward to April 12th when we can all travel more freely, with local hospitality back open and visitors welcome to come and stay. In the meantime, we’re asking everyone to minimise travel to help keep themselves and our local communities safe so we can move out of lockdown in a planned and considered manner.
“We are all too aware of how difficult the past year has been for everyone, but we can see real light at the end of the tunnel. However, we need to show patience and respect for others so we can all enjoy what I hope will be a wonderful summer.
“For the moment the vast majority of local businesses remain closed, including cafés, restaurants, pubs, and many local shops. So, from next week onwards we would ask everyone to:
Respect the Land – Exercise within your limitations to keep pressure off local resources, and know the countryside code (you can download it here).
Respect the Community – We recognise that many in the local community are amongst some of the most vulnerable groups of people. 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. Finally, be kind and respect one another – whether visitor or local.
The National Park Authority ranger service will continue to support North Yorkshire and Cumbria Police across the National Park this weekend to help keep everyone safe as National Lockdown restrictions remain in place.
The countryside code link is not working.
Thanks for letting us know John, that’s now fixed.
Hi there, we have a cottage booked from 23rd April, for a week. We’re enquiring if the Hawes, Leyburn, and other markets will be going ahead. Many thanks to you.
Hi Paul, sorry we don’t know at the moment.
Hawes and Leyburn markets (with a reduced number of stalls) have been open right through the pandemic – great service at Hawes from Kevin and staff on the fruit and veg stall along with “The Fishman”. They always turn up no matter how bad the weather is – a big Thank You to all of them.
Does this mean responsible vaccinated people can go on a socially isolated walk on Monday in the National park?
Hi Ray, we’re encouraging everyone to follow the updated government guidance to stay local wherever possible and to minimise travel, regardless of their vaccination status. Many thanks.
Hi. I wonder if you know if the farmer intends to open his field in Burnsall this week for visitors to pay the fee and use the river? Or will he be waiting until 12 April?
Many thanks
We don’t know Christine, sorry. Meanwhile we’re encouraging everyone to follow the updated government guidance to stay local wherever possible and to minimise travel.
Litter and Litter Bins. I realise that the Authority dislikes litter as much as anyone, so why not have a bin system where bins are placed so that local residents could take responsibility for them to be emptied, and contents put out with domestic rubbish. This needn’t be a strain on resources and could stop visitors dropping rubbish because there are no bins around.
Hawes and Leyburn markets (with a reduced number of stalls) have been open right through the pandemic – great service at Hawes from Kevin and staff on the fruit and veg stall along with “The Fishman”. They always turn up no matter how bad the weather is – a big Thank You to all of them.
Hi,
As long as we stay in our family bubble and keep away from others and houses are we ok to visit and walk up one of the peaks at the moment?
Thanks
Hi Chris, it is possible to get out into the countryside provided the Government guidance to minimise travel and not to stay overnight is followed. We would also encourage you consider whether you would be placing undue pressure on local resources by tackling one of the three peaks – that is to say – are you confident in the family ability to tackle the peak safely and successfully given our varied and unpredictable weather conditions?