Councils urged to re-open footpaths

Thousands of footpaths across the UK have been closed

Local councils have been urged by the government to speed up the opening of footpaths closed due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Environment minister Michael Meacher announced on Wednesday that new guidance was being issued to give local authorities further advice on lifting restrictions in time for the bank holiday weekend.

Michael Meacher has urged councils to re-open more footpaths

The UK's tourism industry has suffered huge losses since the crisis began on 20 February.

Ramblers groups have complained that footpaths even in counties where no cases of foot-and-mouth have been reported remain shut.

Emerging from a meeting of the Rural Task Force in London, Mr Meacher said: "It is a matter for county councils, but we are making it clear that there is no reason why footpaths, rights of way and bridleways outside the three-kilometre protection zone cannot be opened and we would expect them to do so."

Mr Meacher said he hoped the situation would improve in areas such as south Cumbria - one of the worst affected areas - but it was ultimately a matter for county councils and farmers.

'Aid must get through'

The minister also responded to allegations that millions of pounds of government money to help struggling businesses had not been getting through.

He said: "I am extremely keen to ensure that the money we have allocated does get paid out.

"There have been complaints that it is all very well for the government to talk about money being made available, and it is nearly £300 million, but businesses are not seeing it.

"I want a report at the next meeting I chair of the Task Force, and subsequent ones, on the amount of government aid that has actually been paid, who got it and how it is being spent.

"I want to get through this question of red tape and bureaucracy."

The National Trust has announced that it would be opening hundreds more of its sites in time for the holiday weekend.

Throughout the outbreak we have looked to contain the disease while supporting the whole countryside community

Julian Prideaux
National Trust

The sites, all of which were closed due to the crisis, include beaches, parkland, stately homes and gardens.

The National Trust opened 160 sites on 23 March with the total reaching 300 by Easter.

National Trust deputy director general Julian Prideaux said: "The extra sites we are announcing today are based on the latest veterinary advice from Maff for assessing the risk of infection at each of our rural properties.

"Throughout the outbreak we have looked to contain the disease while supporting the whole countryside community."

Corfe Castle and Purbeck Estate in Dorset, Hamble River in Hampshire and Great Copse and Spearywell at Mottisfont, also in Hampshire, are now open to the public.

Berrington Hall near Leominster, Croft Castle near Ludlow and Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire will all be accessible by the weekend.