Man driving from Darlington to the Dales to get some fresh air stopped at army roadblock

Police have spoken to a driver who was caught flouting lockdown regulations by heading off on an unnecessary 62-mile round trip to the Yorkshire Dales.
By Grace Newton
Published 27th Mar 2020, 13:26 BST
Updated 27th Mar 2020, 13:26 BST
The man was trying to visit the village of Aysgarth, picturedThe man was trying to visit the village of Aysgarth, pictured
The man was trying to visit the village of Aysgarth, pictured

The man was stopped at a joint police and military roadblock in the vicinity of Catterick Garrison on Thursday.

He told officers he was from Darlington and was on his way to Dales beauty spot Aysgarth Falls 'for some fresh air'.

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Government guidelines state that any exercise should be taken in a person's local area, either alone or with members of their own household.

The new rules have not stopped visitors flocking to areas such as Ilkley Moor despite the lockdown, and police have repeatedly issues warnings to stay inside and avoid travelling to the countryside.

North Yorkshire Police and Royal Military Police personnel from Catterick have been manning checkpoints in Leyburn

There have also been police patrols at reservoirs in the Harrogate area which have seen large numbers of visitors during the mild spring weather.

Drivers should only leave their house to complete essential tasks such as buying food and medical supplies, assisting a vulnerable person or travelling to a job if they are a key worker.