DEADLOCK over the reopening of moorland paths was set to end today.

North York Moors national park was expecting to get a decision on its tough stand over foot-and-mouth closures.

With new outbreaks in the Esk Valley this week, the park authority wants to maintain a blanket closure of at least the central moorland area, reopening only certain routes which have been risk assessed.

But the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants more paths to be brought back into use.

The park has teamed up with North Yorkshire County Council in resisting a Defra move to rescind a blanket closure order.

And the stand-off has coincided with the opening of a long-distance walk combining parts of the Cleveland Way and Wolds Way national trails.

Previously closed because of the outbreak, the route covers 66 miles from Fridaythorpe in East Yorkshire to Whitby.

National Park spokesman Mr Mike Pratt said opening the route was not a change of policy. It was an extension of an approach to link up paths which had been assessed as safe.

But he added: "We are trying to maintain the blanket closure of the moorland area in the centre of the park where we think there is most risk of contact with animals, while sign-posting people to paths which have been risk-assessed and are seen to be risk-free."

The authority has produced a booklet with 13 different walks which have been assessed.

Mr Pratt said 10pc of paths in the park were now open and useable and that number was gradually increasing.

He said the authority was hoping today to hear Defra's reaction to the park's policy.

"If our overall proposal is not accepted they could come back with another idea," he said.

"We are prepared to be as flexible as we can but with the disease spreading, it is not right to have wider access to all areas. We just can't believe foot-and-mouth is spreading as fast as it is in this area."

The park's national trails officer Mr Malcolm Hodgson said the new route was great news for walkers.

"It represents up to five days of continuous walking across two distinctly different and beautiful landscapes, both dramatic and inspiring in their own right," he said.

"For the first time in many months, by combining parts of the two national trails, we have a great walking experience to offer."

Mr Pratt said: "This gives serious walkers somewhere to go. We want to make sure people can still enjoy a walk or a holiday based around walking."

l Walkers are advised to contact Mr Hodgson on 01439 770657 before setting off to check on any route amendments.

l Other reports on the foot-and-mouth crisis are on pages 14 and 15