4 Feb
Lakes District UK Constantly Adding to Accessible Walking Routes
The Lake District National Park (U.K.) is partnering in the delivery of Cumbria’s Rights of way Improvement Plan. They are working to improve the rights of way network, including improving access to those with limited mobility. A page on their website and links describe the access in outdoor areas already available. They want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the National Park’s special qualities. Their National Park Management Plan states that they will
‘provide, develop and promote access for all people who seek opportunities to enjoy the special qualities of the National Park’
In 1996 they published a booklet ‘Countryside Access for People with Limited Mobility’, which contained 21 routes. In 2009, the booklet ‘Miles without Stiles’ was published and contains information on 39 routes, and new Miles without Stiles routes are being constructed every year.
David Switzer, Access and Recreation Developer at the Lake District National Park Authority provided the following information about the development of access in the park……………………………………
Background to the Lake District National Park
The Lake District is one of the most iconic and well known landscapes in the world. The combination of England’s highest mountains and deepest lakes gives a dramatic natural beauty to the landscape.
The area was designated as a National Park in 1951 in recognition of its special qualities. It is England’s largest National Park at 2,292 square kilometres – a third of Cumbria. Just over 8 million visitors come each year and enjoy the range of activities on offer – walking, cycling and sailing to name but a few. There are also nearly 42,400 residents living in the National Park. They mainly live in dispersed settlements – only three settlements have populations exceeding 3,000.
There are always complex issues to resolve in order to balance everyone’s needs with the needs of the spectacular landscape. To achieve this balance we, along with our partners, developed a vision for the Lake District National Park in 2006. It states:
The Lake District National Park is to be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action: Working together for a prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences, vibrant communities – and all sustaining the spectacular landscape.
What are Miles without Stiles?
The rugged nature of much of our terrain can make access to the countryside difficult for people with limited mobility. Man-made barriers such as stiles, steps and gates can also restrict access for some. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the National Park’s special qualities. Our National Park Management Plan states that we will ‘provide, develop and promote access for all people who seek opportunities to enjoy the special qualities of the National Park’
In 1996 we published a booklet ‘Countryside Access for People with Limited Mobility’, which contained 21 routes. Since then, we have constructed and maintained many new routes where opportunities have arisen, using a variety of specifications. In 2003, we promoted our 21 existing routes in the Westmorland Gazette, under the banner ‘Miles without Stiles’. The general public latched onto this brand to such an extent that we had to change the programme title and ‘Miles without Stiles’ was well and truly launched. Miles without Stiles routes are those where the surface, gradient and access furniture have been improved specifically for people with limited mobility.
Our new ‘Miles without Stiles’ booklet was published in 2009 and contains information on 39 routes built by ourselves and our partner organisations. That is not the end of it however – new Miles without Stiles routes are being constructed year on year – see our registration page for more details on how to receive updates on new routes when they come ‘on stream’.
The route grades explained
Who are people with limited mobility and what does access for all mean? Most commonly, we think of wheelchair users but limited mobility covers a much wider range of people than this. Just as wheelchair users cannot get over step stiles or through narrow kissing gates, neither can families with pushchairs. Others with limited mobility can find the steeper and rougher paths in the Lake District a challenge as can the visually impaired. Miles without Stiles routes remove these barriers so they can be used with ease and with confidence.
We have devised a grading system for Miles without Stiles routes – for ‘all’, ‘many’ or ‘some’. These are based mainly on gradient and surface condition.
Routes for all – gradients will be no more than 1 in 10 and the surface will be either tarmac or smooth, compacted stone with a diameter of 10mm or less. These routes are suitable for all users including unaccompanied wheelchair users and those with pushchairs. Path width will be a minimum of 1 metre with passing places.
Routes for many – existing gradients can be no more than 1 in 10 although new built gradients can be up to 1in 8. The path surface will be of rougher stone with a diameter of 40mm or less. These routes are more suitable for assisted wheelchair users and those with more robust, all terrain type buggies.
Routes for some – gradients are not limited but slopes greater than 1 in 8 will be made more accessible either by improved surfacing or by adding handrails. The surface may not be modified but where it is the stone diameter can be 100mm or less. There may be some low steps or breaks in the surface up to 100mm in height.
These grades are not meant to be too prescriptive or restrictive. Strong and confident wheelchair users and their helpers may find routes for some within their abilities but many others may not. As with all outdoor activities, weigh up your route choice carefully.”
