Retiring North York Moors chief executive warns about post Covid recovery

A retiring national park boss has outlined major challenges facing the protected area and its communities post-Covid

Andy Wilson, who will leave the North York Moors National Park Authority next month after 20 years as its chief executive, said it remains unclear how quickly the rural economy would be able to recover from the pandemic.

He said while the authority and other organisations were working to make recovery as swift and full as possible, a range of other issues were facing the area as a result of the outbreak, including unemployment.

Mr Wilson said:

“We need to make sure rural areas are sufficiently recognised in the plans for economic recovery.

"(the foot and mouth epidemic) affected a lot of people very personally as well as well as having a huge effect on farming and the tourist economy because the whole place was shut down. It was devastating for individuals.

“My father-in-law had his herd of milking cows slaughtered. However, in terms of working life across Yorkshire most people continued going to work as normal and there was little impact on most people’s social lives. At the time we all thought it was an enormous event, which it was but, goodness me, Covid is a much bigger upheaval. Covid has impacted on everyone.”

Mr Wilson said while the gap between EU-run schemes finishing and new programmes being launched needed to be recognised, the authority would continue to work to support communities and attract more young people to live in the park through its award-winning apprenticeship initiatives and efforts to increase affordable housing.
He said to attract young people rapid action was needed to address rural broadband and mobile phone connectivity, which had led to a loss of both private businesses and public services.

SHARE THIS STORY:

Get our app, and stay up to date!