Peak District chiefs issue blunt 'Stay at home' plea

The scene at Dovestones. Picture courtesy of Hannah-Rose Bennett

Peak District National Park chiefs have issued a blunt warning to prospective visitors: “Stay at home - stay local.”

The call comes from the UK’s original national park, which borders one of Oldham’s favourite beauty spots at Dovestones, in the fifth week of ‘lockdown’ measures, and just as a prolonged period of dry weather has increased the wild fire risk. 

Visitor facilities including public toilets, car parks and information centres remain closed in support of social distancing guidance.

And at Dovestones, new signs on approach roads warn the site is closed and a security team remains on duty.

Last weekend scores of motorists were turned away.

A spokesperson for the Peak District National Park Authority said: “As the country experiences more than a month of ‘lockdown’ measures and an extended period of unseasonably fine weather, we fully understand that many people will be naturally be feeling frustrated and with an increased temptation to travel and get away.  

“However, the government’s advice remains unchanged and it is still just as important for everyone to abide by the current measures and stay at home.

“The spring and summer brings with it the challenges of wild fires in any year, but with significant pressures already on our emergency services at the moment, this is one completely avoidable factor we can all help with by staying away.

“We know from our social media channels and messages how much people are missing the Peak District, but we have also been incredibly heartened by the positivity of those who have acknowledged the need to stay local, and that a return to the National Park will be all the more special when it is right to do so.”

National Park rangers are continuing to patrol car parks and other closed facilities, and are undertaking an enhanced role in checking for wild fires, to support and provide an early warning system to other agencies. 

Under Government coronavirus measures, gatherings of people outside the household – including for barbeques in road-side laybys and open countryside – are not permitted.

Drivers are reminded that discarded cigarettes or litter should never be thrown from vehicles as these can also start fires.

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