Coronavirus - Resident's anger as Buxton footpath is closed off to public

A reader has slammed the actions of a landowner to shut a public footpath resticting access through a field despite the country being encouraged to stay at home.
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The footpath near the top of Buxton Golf Course has been shut by the landowner with a sign across the gate that reads ‘Footpath closed’ and ‘closed to you’ in a bid to stop people being out unnecessarily.

However, John Rimington of Beech View Drive, said: “I am disappointed a local landowner has attempted to stop people using a Public Right of Way across his land. Walking in the surrounding countryside is one of the few pleasures available to us at this current time and there can be no excuse for restricting access.”

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People up and down the country have been told to follow the new rules on social distancing and only leave their homes for work if necessary, to help vulnerable members of society or for daily exercise all in a bid to try and stop the spread of Coronavirus.

A resident is angry at the lack of access through a field in Buxton despite police warnings to stay at home during the Coronavirus isolationA resident is angry at the lack of access through a field in Buxton despite police warnings to stay at home during the Coronavirus isolation
A resident is angry at the lack of access through a field in Buxton despite police warnings to stay at home during the Coronavirus isolation

Derbyshire Police have repeatedly told people to stay at home and not to travel for exercise and earlier in the week used a drone to capture people walking in the Peak District.

A force spokesperson said: “These are all lovely things to do but not in the middle of a pandemic that is literally costing people their lives.”

“Our actions and the government’s advice are there to keep you and others safe and ensure that our NHS is able to cope in order to save as many lives as possible.”