North York Moors National Park begs people not to visit and shuts all car parks

The National Park Authority have issued a plea to visitors to stay away from the area this weekend and have closed all car parks, public toilets and information centres.

Activities, events and guided walks in the National Park have been cancelled until at least May 31.

The drastic measures have had to be taken after large crowds descended on the moors last weekend to celebrate Mother's Day, ignoring social distancing guidelines.

A lockdown is now in force and all exercise should only be undertaken in the vicinity of your own home.

The NYNPA have also requested that landowners refrain from controlled burning of heather moorland - which is often undertaken by commercial shoots to preserve game bird habitats - in case the fires spread and emergency services have to be called, tying up vital resources.The risk is particularly high because of the recent spell of warm, dry weather.

"Do not travel to the North York Moors unless it is really essential. The government has now stated that travel for exercise is not classed as essential. This is the key message from the National Park Authority. Stay at home and protect vulnerable people and the NHS.

"The weekend saw large numbers of people congregating across the National Park. As a result of this, the Authority’s car parks and toilets are now closed.

"While we appreciate that exercise and contact with nature is a vital part of our lives, this should be done locally and, of course, at a safe distance from other people.

"Government advice is that ‘essential’ does not include travel for exercise, visits to second homes, campsites, caravan parks or similar for whatever purpose."

North Yorkshire Police and the army are now manning checkpoints in towns such as Leyburn and Catterick to prevent visitors entering the Yorkshire Dales National Park, while West Yorkshire Police have expressed concern about large numbers of people walking on Ilkley Moor and having picnics by the River Wharfe.

A man driving from Darlington to Aysgarth Falls for 'some fresh air' was turned back at one of the military roadblocks on Thursday, while residents of West Burton in Wensleydale have erected home-made signs urging tourists to stay away from the Dales.

There are fears coastal towns such as Whitby and Scarborough will also be busy this weekend, despite shops, cafes and pubs being closed.

Congregating in groups is forbidden and the police have power to disperse such gatherings, as well as fine people who have left their house for reasons deemed not to be essential.