Foot and Mouth - Third (Temporary Control) Zone Declared - Footpaths in Dorking Temporary Control Zone remain open
This morning DEFRA declared a third Protection Zone, defined as a Temporary Control Zone, relating to a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth (FMD). This is around a farm in the Dorking and Westcott area of Surrey and is outside of the existing survielance zone already declared. The North Downs Way National Trail / Pilgrims Way runs through the latest Control Zone. Speaking to the DEFRA helpline at lunchtime they advised me that footpaths through this thrid zone remain open at present. However the footpaths in the first declared zone remain closed - see DEFRA web-site. (link below)
I am getting emails from walkers seeking information about the situation as many are actually or about to be in transit to the UK and plan to walk in Surrey and Kent along the Pilgrims Way ' North Downs Way National Trail. At present this does not impact upon Walk Awhile's walking holidays, which are in the Kent stretch of the North Downs Way but we are continually monitoring with the agencies responsible for the situation and are in contact with the Mangager with Responsibility for the North Downs Way National Trail.
The DEFRA map showing the surveilance, proptection and temporary contral zones can be found at
http://http://www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/FMD/map.jsp?bbox=446826.34546863,131321.311895689,506357.714531369,171008.891270848&action=panEast&label=&xylabel=&mapsize=&zoomOrID=zoom&advancedSearch=
For up to date information and advice visit the DEFRA web site at http://http://www.defra.gov.uk/
For walking holidays visit: http://www.walkawhile.co
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