People turned away from parks by Wakefield Council security staff due to overcrowding

Wakefield Council warned that it would employ more security staff over the weekend to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 between people who travelled to the district's beauty spots.

Coun Jack Hemingway Cabinet Member for Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Green Spaces, said: “In recent months, many residents have been travelling to our country parks to exercise, sometimes journeying more than five miles to do so. Busy spaces increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission and we must take the necessary steps to minimise this and to keep the public safe.

“We deployed extra security staff to work at the main larger parks in the district over the weekend, to ensure they did not become overcrowded.

“Pugneys and Anglers country parks and Newmillerdam were all very busy at times over the weekend and this meant cars were turned away from the car parks several times as they were full.

“Whilst we are in the current lockdown, residents must stay local to where they live. There are many fantastic walking routes across the district, often on our doorsteps, which do not require residents to travel to them by car. Let us work together to stay safe and protect one another during these difficult times.”

Residents can look at walking routes close to them, by visiting the council's website: www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-health-and-leisure/sport-and-activities/walking