CORNAVIRUS - Thinking of visiting Scarborough? Don't bother (No toilets open either)

By : Carl Gavaghan, Local Democracy Reporter.

People thinking of travelling to the Scarborough borough when lockdown restrictions are eased on Wednesday have been told not to bother.

Scarborough Council deputy leader Cllr Liz Colling said that the council had “concerns” following the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that people would now be allowed to travel as far as they liked to visit other places.

Cllr Colling said a number of residents had been alarmed by the change in policy.

She said:

“We share that concern that we could start to see more people travel to the borough.

I would have liked to hear the PM say ‘yes please travel for exercise but don’t go more than five miles from your front door’.

Stay home works for as a message but ‘stay alert’ doesn’t, it’s too confusing.”

LISTEN - Liz Colling on Minster FM:

Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill said earlier in the day that he too had been contacted by residents who were worried about people coming into the area following the Prime Minister’s address last night.

Cllr Colling added that people coming into the area should be aware that the town is not open.

“People have to remember that there are no public toilets open, there are no cafes open, the car parks are not open.

If you want to come and see the scenery then do so, then go home again.

There is no reason to stay if you go to a shop to buy a drink where are you going to go the toilet?

I can see how if you’re in a city lack access to open space how the new plans make sense but not if you live in a remote area.

“We are already feeling quite vulnerable and we have worked hard to keep our infection rate low and we would like to keep it that way.”

Her fellow Labour councillor Rich Maw took to Facebook following the television broadcast last night to make his concerns known.

He wrote:

“Personally I do not think we are ready for tourists to ‘drive to other destinations’ just yet. Keep the virus away from out towns.”

The MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey, Kevin Hollinrake, responded to the concerns on Minster FM

Listen here

Some restrictions lifted, but rule-breakers could now face bigger fines. Read more at MInster FM here

SHARE THIS STORY:

Get our app, and stay up to date!