DALES communities are bracing themselves for a huge influx of visitors after the Prime Minister said people could now drive to other areas to exercise.

Car parks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including at Grassington and at Malham, have reopened and public toilets will also open again as soon as possible.

The park said it was responding to Boris Johnson's statement on Sunday - and clarified in a 50 page document on Monday - that people could 'exercise outside as many times each day as they wish' and that 'people may drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, so long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there'.

David Butterworth, chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said the park had been planning instead for a 'staged' reopening of the countryside but with the Government changing its message from 'stay home' to 'stay alert' was now preparing for larger than ever numbers of visitors.

“This is not the approach we were advocating. Since late April we have been in discussions with Defra about the ‘re-opening’ of the countryside and we, along with many organisations with countryside facilities, have advocated a staged approach with an initial ‘stay local’ message to avoid unnecessary travel and minimise any tension between visitors and local communities," he said.

“However, that message has not prevailed and, as a public body, we are still expected to deliver the Government’s message and manage the situation as professionally and sensitively as we can.

"We will therefore be opening the authority-run car parks and will strive to open toilets as soon as possible; they will be deep cleaned and have new cleaning regimes implemented.

"By making this decision we’re seeking to mitigate the parking by visitors in village centres and on verges."

Mr Butterworth said the message to both visitors and residents over the next few weeks is one of 'respect'.

The national park is asking people to exercise within their limitations to keep pressure off local resources, and to know the countryside code.

People should take care to respect the plant and wildlife which the park says has thrived during the coronavirus lockdown from March 25.

The park is also asking people to 'respect the community' and recognise that many of its residents are amongst some of the most vulnerable in society.

Visitors should therefore keep a safe distance from homes, schools and farms.

They should also 'respect each other' and stay two metres apart, keep within their family groups and avoid gathering in Dales towns and villages where many of the shops and services remain closed.

Mr Butterworth said park rangers would still be much in evidence, as they have since the start of the lockdown.

“It is important that everyone continues to act responsibly, as the majority have done to date. The virus will only spread further and put more people at risk if the guidelines are not adhered to”.

North Yorkshire Police said on Tuesday it was still working with colleagues nationally on what the Government's change of regulations meant.

Over the last few weeks, police have been turning people away from Dales villages and have issued dozens of fines to those ignoring social distancing.

North Yorkshire County Council also put up high profile signs on main routes to the Dales urging people against taking unnecessary journeys.

Craven District Council car parks remain open as does Aireville Park in Skipton, but the playground is still closed. However, people are being urged to show respect for the countryside and each other.

Craven District Council leader Richard Foster said: “We were hoping that the Government would wait a little longer before making this announcement; however, we and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority are now preparing to manage the situation given this new Government guidance.

“We know many people will be desperate to get out of towns and cities and into the countryside. However, we would urge people to stay at home as much as possible, and if you do visit, please show respect for social distancing guidelines, respect for residents and each other, and respect for the Countryside Code.

“In some of our most popular tourist areas, social distancing is going to be difficult due to narrow footpaths and lanes so we would ask people to enjoy open countryside away from crowds, and keep a safe distance from homes, schools, and farms. Please bear in mind that many residents of rural villages are particularly vulnerable to the virus."

He added: “Please be aware that many shops, services and facilities remain closed in towns and villages. Please keep at least two metres away from others and avoid gathering in groups.

“If certain areas of our towns, villages and countryside are overwhelmed by visitors and social distancing is failing to be maintained, then we will be lobbying for this new Government guidance to be changed. The Government has indicated that it will reintroduce lockdown measures if necessary.

“I’d like to thank all our residents for their cooperation and adherence to the guidance so far. We know Craven relies on tourism and we want to welcome back tourists when it is safe to do so, but we must protect our communities during this difficult time.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said:“Firstly my thanks goes to the vast majority of people who have stayed at home so far and helped to save lives. It has been and continues to be a difficult and challenging time for many people and it’s important not to lose sight of why we have had these measures imposed to begin with.

“As the Government’s restrictions and regulations change, the police’s role will too.

“At this moment in time, we are working with police nationally, and as more detailed information, guidance and changes to the regulations become clear, we will share them with our communities and what it means for policing locally. The core British principle of policing by consent will continue to be at the heart of our approach.”