FOOTPATHS in Devon are not to be re-opened immediately, but are to continue to be opened under a phased programme following the foot and mouth crisis.
Devon County Council was just one of six local authorities to be granted a temporary exemption when the Government revoked the blanket closure of footpaths nationwide last Friday.
Although having one of the highest concentrations of foot and mouth cases in the country, 63 per cent of Devon's paths have already re-opened.
The council aims to open more footpaths in parts of West and Mid Devon in the next few weeks, subject to the all-clear from DEFRA vets.
From the end of this month, West Devon zonal re-openings are planned from Tavistock to Hartland.
The partial exemption means the majority of footpaths in Devon's Infected Area will remain closed until ministry vets give the all clear.
However, under the new policy 255 paths, closed in Devon because they cross stocked farmyards, are being re-opened.
The county council has written to all landowners who had previously been granted footpath closures through stocked farmyards, explaining that those routes will be re-opening.
A total of 4,090 paths and bridleways are already open across the country. The total mileage of paths re-opened is 1,943. DEFRA say they will be keeping the temporary exemption under constant review.