National park bosses said people should not travel to the Dales from tier-three areas. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
National park bosses in the Yorkshire Dales have issued updated advice after the introduction of a tier system of restrictions in England.
The Dales’ two authority areas, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, fall into tier-two coronavirus categories of high alert.
The national park is bordered by three areas in the very high alert category of tier three: West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Durham.
David Butterworth, chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “We would encourage anyone planning a visit to the national park between now and Christmas to check how the tier-two local restrictions affect them, especially for anyone living in tier three, where travel outside their area should be avoided.
“Our website has been updated to reflect the new guidelines, and there’s lots of additional information for new and seasoned visitors on staying safe in the national park during the winter months.
“Finally, the safety of visitors and communities throughout the national park remains our number one priority, so we would ask everyone to stick to the social distancing rules and to wear a face covering in local shops.”
The authority said national park centres at Aysgarth Falls, Grassington, Hawes and Malham will re-open at weekends, in line with the centres’ normal winter opening hours. The Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes will also re-open.
North Yorkshire Police said people living under tier-three restrictions are advised to travel outside their area only for specific reasons.
Superintendent Mike Walker, the force’s lead for covid response, said: “I would encourage residents to consult the relevant government guidance for their area and ensure they are aware of what they can and can’t do.
“Those living in tier-three areas are advised not to travel out of the area unless it is necessary, such as for work or education. I realise there may be some confusion over what is deemed necessary in these circumstances, so I’d like to be clear here: it is neither necessary or acceptable to leave a tier-three area and enter a lower-tier area for a day trip or to visit a pub or restaurant for a meal.
“Please also be reminded that your tier restrictions travel with you and police can take enforcement action against you if you should breach those restrictions.
“To those living in tier-three areas, please do not try to side-step the tighter restrictions in your area by visiting neighbouring tier-two areas for a day or night out. If you do, you may inadvertently bring the virus in with you and increase the chance of transmission to local residents.
“North Yorkshire Police will be actively patrolling and will have an increased presence in these border areas and we will be policing the coronavirus regulations. Our safety camera fleet, which are equipped with ANPR, will also be visible along various routes into the region.
“North Yorkshire is well-known for its hospitality and warmth, but right now we have to ask visitors to stay in their own tier area for the health and safety of our most vulnerable residents. If you have a visit planned, please reschedule to a time where we are able to give you a proper welcome to our beautiful county.”
Matt
03 December 2020A point of order:
Movement between tiers is advised against but not illegal. Yorkshire Police will not have a legal basis for issuing fines to people travelling into/out of their area.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8875/
Matt
03 December 2020A point of order:
Movement between tiers is advised against but not illegal. Yorkshire Police will not have a legal basis for issuing fines to people travelling into/out of their area.
Please refer to Chapter 3.1 of this HoC Briefing Note published on 2 Dec 20:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8875/
Roger
04 December 2020How might this impact the Montane Spine Race due to begin on 8 January 2021?
Sean
04 December 2020Total bullshit from the Police as per usual... easy targets again. As has been said it is 'advised' but not against the law to travel. I lost my holiday costs when due to travel to Scotland from a tier 3 area and i followed government 'advice' not to travel. Holiday company rightly pointed out it was only advisory and not illegal therefor no refund.. I shall travel to the Lakes and Dales for hikes and overnight camps, far safer than my work and supermarkets. IMO Grough should stand up for our rights to the countryside and question the Police on their policies of trying to fine as many as possible simply because they see it as easy money when actually it is lazy and promotes even more bad feeling then ever.
Sean
04 December 2020Total rubbish from the Police as per usual... easy targets again. As has been said it is 'advised' but not against the law to travel. I lost my holiday costs when due to travel to Scotland from a tier 3 area and i followed government 'advice' not to travel. Holiday company rightly pointed out it was only advisory and not illegal therefor no refund.. I shall travel to the Lakes and Dales for hikes and overnight camps, far safer than my work and supermarkets. IMO Grough should stand up for our rights to the countryside and question the Police on their policies of trying to fine as many as possible simply because they see it as easy money when actually it is lazy and promotes even more bad feeling then ever.
sean
04 December 2020Travelling between tiers
The UK Government is advising everyone to “walk or cycle where possible, plan ahead
and avoid busy times and routes when travelling”.61 People are advised against nonessential travel in and out of tier three areas.
62 There are no laws prohibiting movement
between tiers.63
THERE ARE NO LAWS PROHIBITING MOVEMENT BETWEEN TIERS.
Happy hiking and camping !
Annie
04 December 2020Matt / Sean
You area pair of antagonists, get a grip and do as you are advised
Your attitude can cost lives.
Mark
04 December 2020I’m sorry Annie but how does someone going for a walk in the middle of the countryside in the fresh air were you don’t hardly meet a sole and if you do there is plenty of space for social distancing cost people lives?
They are not suggesting going to the pub, having a meal or meeting a big group of people for a party. They are stating that’s it’s not against the law to travel between tiers, but if you do go from tier3 to tier 2 to access a open space for the purpose of exercise you MUST follow the guidelines of tier3
These people are not the ones that spread the virus and cost lives. So please stop being so dramatic this Country is divided enough without people accusing everyone of being murderers!
Simon
04 December 2020Mark / Sean
You two certainly know your rights don't you.
And, you're determined to claim those rights whatever the cost to other people or how little common sense it shows.
Given what's going on in the world you attitude is completely selfish but, yes, you know your rights.
Ian S
04 December 2020If it's so important to prevent infection that you can't travel for exercise between tiers 3 and 2, then why haven't the Government made it law instead of advice?
Pathetic, woolly advice. as usual. No wonder people interpret it their own way.
Mike V
05 December 2020I think most people would agree that the UK is supposed to be governed by the rule of parliamentary democracy. And as such, the majority of people accept that they must obey the entity that is called “the law”. – (Whether they agree with specific/individual laws contained therein, or not).
In such a democracy, grown adults are fully entitled to make their own decisions about what they do and what they don’t do – within the limits of the law.
As #Ian-S has pointed out, if travel, (for the purpose of exercise), between tiers 3 & 2 is deemed likely to have enough potential to cause concern regarding increased Covid-19 infections, then the government should have mandated that such travel was unlawful.
The government document to which #Matt refers above: -https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8875/ confirms that they obviously did not, saying merely that that “People are advised against non-essential travel in and out of tier three areas”. – They went on to specifically state “There are no laws prohibiting movement between tiers”.
I reiterate – we live under the rule of democracy – so we are entitled to act as we wish, without let or hindrance, within the limit of the law.
Under the legislation as it currently stands, whether (within England) any individual decides to travel between tier 3 and other tiers for the purpose of exercise is entirely a matter for that individual – based upon their own personal risk assessment on what/when/where they will be doing the exercise under consideration, and what consequences their visit might engender. – They should not be made to suffer intimidation or derogatory comment from anyone, for exercising (no pun intended!) their legal rights.
I have the utmost respect for the police. They have some incredibly difficult and dangerous situations to deal with. But they must be seen to be operating impartially, within the limits of the laws they enforce. – And it should be of extreme concern to all law abiding citizens if we are to believe what Superintendent Mike Walker implies – that police officers will be given free rein to attempt to enforce “advice” rather than the law!
These are unprecedented times, and we all need to behave responsibly. But I suggest that we all need to be very careful indeed about happily accepting any "above and beyond the extent of the law" curtailment of our civil liberties.
Jim
05 December 2020Simon, If we're in such a dire situation that any minute risk from travelling to go for a walk in the hills is a risk not worth taking then how come we're not in lockdown any more, and how come restaurants and schools are open again! Outdoor activities really are low risk, there's no good reason to avoid them at the current time. And agree with Ian - if it really was that important not to go for a walk then why isn't it in law?
Mark
05 December 2020Simon yes you should know the law instead of spouting hateful media driven propaganda. If you go for a walk or run by yourself in the middle of nowhere how are you going to kill anyone??
We could even travel for exercise during the last lockdown because there is no chance of spreading/catching it this way.
The government says it’s ok for you to go shopping with thousands of other people in towns and cities to boost the economy so do you think they really care?
Millions of people die from cancer every year which is directly linked to smoking yet the sale of cigarettes is still legal.
Alcohol and obesity levels are the same but it’s still fine to buy alcohol and stuff your face at will. All three of these will kill more people this year than covid ever will
Why are these acceptable as “normal” by society but people wanting to maintain there health and mental well-being are currently being classed has criminals
So just don’t go hugging and kissing these scary strangers on the fells and you will be fine.
Mark
05 December 2020Simon please look at what I’ve wrote and think before you call me selfish.
You can NOT catch or spread the virus if you go to the countryside by yourself or household and maintain social distancing. The government has pushed people to get out and exercise from day one of this. You could even travel for exercise during the last lock down and this tier system is an easing of restrictions.
So yes I know the law because I want to make sure I’m still doing the right thing instead of relying on hearsay and media propaganda.
Please do the same and stop spreading the hate.
Fred Scuttle
05 December 2020Simon, I'd suggest that you stop reading the main stream media for a few weeks and detox yourself from the pumped up, biased and downright nonsensical hysteria that the news corps thrive on. I promise you will feel much better as life begins to get back to normal again and you'll be able think for yourself again. Ask yourself this question...... If you didn't read / watch / listen to the news would you even know that covid existed? I'm not saying it doesn't just that it has been blown out of all proportion.... And it isn't really helpful to burn your house down to kill a spider.... Take care, no offence meant, just some friendly advice from someone who stopped consuming the news in September because it just depressed me and didn't make sense anymore.
Simon
05 December 2020Hilarious,
I know I'd get people to waste their time replying to my made up comment. hahaha!!!
I've been traveling from Manchester to the Lakes and the Yorkshire dales all year. No one's going to catch anything from me because I've got a 10 year old cat.
Fred Scuttle
05 December 2020Hey Simon my friend, that's OK, it must be really difficult to get things off your chest with everything going on at the moment, but we're all here for you and you can talk without judgement, so feel free to reach out if you need to. Take care and all the best.
Matt
05 December 2020It’s pretty COVID-secure in my tent on Kinder tonight. Haven’t been near another human all day... or broken any laws
Matt
05 December 2020Well, a bit trespass
Steve
06 December 2020Matt, unless you have the landowner’s permission you’d better get off your high horse. I suspect you’re guilty of trespass
Steve
06 December 2020Matt, unless you have the landowner’s permission, you need to get off your high horse. I suspect you are guilty of trespass.