DISUSED quarries and mines in the Craven area could be reopened and put back into working use at any time, a research project has revealed.

The potential threat to the Dales landscape was highlighted in an 18-month survey carried by the Council for the National Parks (CNP) and funded by the Countryside Agency.

The survey has called on the Government to act on the findings and bring decades-old laws up to date in line with today's environmental practices.

Landmarks which could be at risk in Craven include disused mines at Appletreewick, Old Ingleton and on Grassington Moor.

The latter is the site of a scheduled monument through its lead mining history and is described in the quarry survey as a potential "ticking timebomb".

"Dormant sites could be reopened at any time up to the year 2042, with potentially disastrous consequences for landscape, archaeology and nature conservation in our finest countryside," said Rachel Reeves, the council's senior policy officer.

Carl Lis, chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and manager of Ingleton Quarry, said that he could not see any company considering to implement old planning permissions without following the proper channels.

"My view is that consultation is always better than confrontation. Even if old quarries were to be reopened, responsible companies of any repute would do nothing without first consulting the national park."