Popular open areas in York, including the city's Knavesmire, have been reopened following a review of restrictions imposed due to the foot and mouth crisis.

City of York Council has looked at countryside access restrictions to paths and land, which are currently in force throughout the city.

The review has resulted in some being removed, although many paths across agricultural land will remain closed.

The areas that are now open include:

- Paths in urban areas, including the outlying villages

- The Knavesmire

- Hob Moor

- Rawcliffe and Clifton Ings

- Cycle paths (within the City of York area)

Maps showing the paths and areas which are open are available for inspection at the council's offices at 9 St Leonard's Place, York, and they will also be available at libraries across the city by the end of the week.

All areas that are open will be subject to a code of practice published by the Countryside Agency. This code will be displayed at the access points and includes a series of common sense precautions. Members of the public are urged to comply with the code, to ensure that paths and other areas of land can remain open.

City of York Council will continue to monitor and review the access to all paths and land across the city.

Updated: 16:33 Thursday, April 12, 2001