Risk assessments to be carried out in bid to reopen footpaths

British Waterways and the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be carrying out risk assessments to see which areas can be re-opened safely. It is hoped that something can be done before Easter.

As yet, Craven has escaped any outbreaks of the disease, yet the consequences of footpath closures and restriction zones has had a devastating effect on its economy.

Malham farmers and local businesses met with a national park official on Tuesday to discuss what could be done.

Jon Avison, head of park development, said: "The countryside has changed dramatically. In these last weeks we have seen no one come here to walk. The trouble is the perception of the public that the countryside is still closed."

Residents wanted to know what steps could be taken to bring people into the village. Suggestions included reopening selected footpaths to allow access to attractions such as Malham Cove.

Guided walks were also proposed, and road walks from village to village, taking in local pubs and shops. Measures could be taken to ensure visitors' feet were disinfected before entering the countryside.

Mr Avison told the meeting that the best way forward was to look at risk assessing the reopening of selected footpaths and routes. However the final decision would rest with North Yorkshire County Council.

A committee was formed to look at possible routes to reopen, considering what farmland would have to be crossed and how much of the countryside would be put at risk.

On Wednesday, Linda Nicholson, of the Craven Arms, Appletreewick, presented a petition to Craven District Council leader, Coun Christopher Knowles-Fitton.

Its 80 signatories are calling for lower business rates and trade waste payments for those who rely solely on tourism for their income.

Coun Knowles-Fitton told the Herald that at the moment the council was looking for guidance over any reduction of rates from the Government.

He said: "We cannot realistically move in isolation. We are looking to see what Craven District Council can do unilaterally to lessen financial burdens imposed by this outbreak and, how we can responsibly continue to promote our tourist industry."

Meanwhile local businesses continue to struggle as tourists stay away.

Burnsall woman Rosemary Lodge, who owns two holiday cottages and is a rural artist, has closed her business indefinitely.

She said: "I have been hit on both sides of the business. I have nothing left. There are no bookings, just cancellations. I had a group of ladies coming to the holiday cottages from Leeds, but they've cancelled.

"If they kill tourism, the whole Dales will die. You struggle through winter in the hope you will get a good Easter. The worry is if it goes on then we are back to winter again with no money to see us through."

Miss Lodge is trying to be positive but with a daughter, two horses, a goat, and a dog to support as well as a mortgage to pay, it's becoming increasingly difficult.

She added: "I daren't think what the future holds. I could lose this house where I have lived for 53 years. I have nothing coming in at all and nothing left."

A meeting of local businesses will take place on Wednesday in Burnsall Village Hall at 7.30pm. Coun Knowles-Fitton will answer concerns and to let the public know what help is available.

In the meantime Craven District Council is advising businesses and individuals financially affected by the foot and mouth disease to contact the council's finance unit to discuss ways in which short-term assistance may be available.

The first meeting of North Yorkshire County Council's task force was held this week. The group is made up of a variety of organisations including the NFU, the tourism board, small businesses, national park, and district and the county councils.

The key areas under discussion included access to the county's rural areas and the impact on livelihoods in farming and tourism as well as other businesses closely linked to these two vital industries.

The group decided to prepare an action plan in time for Easter to make people aware of the area's attractions that are still open. However no decision was made to reopen any of the footpaths.

Jeremy Walker, chief executive of the county council, said: "We are all agreed that the prime objective is to prevent the spread of the disease. A cautious approach is needed, so we will not be reopening footpaths now. Next we need to carry out risk assessments.

"Organisations like the National Park, the National Trust and English Heritage will be doing the same to see which attractions can be safely opened. This, however, involves detailed work and isn't something that can be achieved overnight."

The consequences of the foot and mouth outbreak are also likely to be discussed when the national park meets on Tuesday. It has moved the venue of its meeting from Middleham to the Hanover International Hotel in Skipton.

Meanwhile, the NFU has started a poster campaign to express farmers' gratitude to the public for standing by farmers and their families during the crisis.

Ben Gill, NFU president, said: "Farmers and their families are living through their worse nightmare. They have told us that the support they continue to receive from the public is the one sustaining light keeping them going."

However, local support has been taken to extremes, with a threatening letter being sent to a horse rider by someone who believes horse riding on roads is banned.

Horse riders are still legally allowed to ride their animals on country roads, although they are being urged to follow simple guidelines to ensure they don't spread the disease.

"All we want is for riders to take reasonable care," said local NFU secretary Tim Palmer "We don't want people to fall out over this - we just want common sense to prevail."

o We have had a number of requests from members of the public wanting to help farmers.

Donations can be sent to: The Royal Agriculture Benevolent Institution (RABI) at Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford, OX2 OQH, telephone 01865 727 888. This line can also be used by farmers requiring financial assistance.

Help can also be obtained from the Rural Stress Information Network on 024 7641 2916 or the Farm Crisis Network on 07002 326 326.