Agenda item

·         DEFRA Access for All funding

·         An Accessible Place

An update was given on DEFRA Access for all funding by Sue Smith, PDNPA Access and Rights of Way Officer. 

In November 2022, the Peak District National Park Authority received £131k of capital funding for infrastructure improvements to make Protected Landscapes more accessible for people of all ages and abilities and from all socio-economic backgrounds, to make them what Glover called, ‘places for everyone.’ No funding is available in Year 2 (this current year) of the programme. Further funding will be received in Year 3, anticipated to be £158k.

The Year 1 funding was required to be spent by the end of March 2023.  This was met by developing facilities at key locations, improving online information, creating and enhancing Miles without Stiles routes, and increasing the number of people participating to meet the Authority’s  ambition. The Programme and Resources Committee Report of 28 April 2023 sets out the details of that delivery. 

Sue advised the Forum on how to make a destination an accessible place.  In the Peak District, Accessible Castleton has been developed as a template for accessibility.  This builds on the provision of accessible routes by working with businesses to compile a catalogue of information, producing a visitor guide for the visitor centre, providing a sensory story and itineraries, and, in conjunction with Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, providing accessibility training for businesses.

There followed a video by Gillian Scotsford, Director of AccessibleUK.  Gillian set out how and why AccessibleUK was set up, and their aim to make it as easy as possible for any person or group with disabilities to get out and about.  Availability of information about destinations is very important, even if the advice is that there are access limitations to that site.  Awareness and training of people providing services at these locations is also important.

John Towe expanded on this by giving a presentation based on an individual case study of someone with acquired disability which means they have mobility problems as well as underlying health conditions.  The presentation highlighted that people of all abilities want to be as independent as possible, and there can often be quite simple solutions to make access for all easier.  John pointed out that many people with any sort of disability or additional needs don’t get past the planning stage for their visit.  Detailed, accurate information about the destination is vital, along with how they are going to make their journey, with good customer service along the way.  The person represented in the presentation was a hillwalker, canoeist, skier and guider before they became a wheelchair user, and with the right information, facilities and support, there is no reason that this person shouldn’t be able to keep participating in these activities.

The Forum warmly welcomed John’s detailed presentation.

Louise Hawson picked up on how important it is for organisations to provide all relevant information so that people can plan properly.

David Higley advised of his involvement with Accessible Belper, and how some of the momentum on accessibility was lost during Covid.  Some areas are better than others on this issue, now is the time to try and get the momentum back at scale by raising awareness with businesses and the hospitality sector.

Sue Smith outlined that some of the Year 1 DEFRA Access funding had been used to identify what information is useful for visitors, and how and where to make that information available.  This will help support local businesses to think about what they can do to improve access.

Clare Griffin pointed out that anyone could acquire a disability at any stage in their lives and added that it was recognised in the health service that access to nature delivered better outcomes for patients.  She raised a question about what the Year 3 DEFRA money was to be spent on. Sue Smith stated that plans were being drawn up to build on the Year 1 work, including working with partners.  Some of the plans could be costly, and match funding may be required.  The LAF is key in looking at accessibility.

Geoff Nickolds raised a point about the possible closure of visitor centres in places such as Castleton.  This was part of efficiencies being proposed by the PDNPA.  Geoff wanted to clarify whether this was purely based on money saving, or were other factors being considered when looking at the value of visitor centres, such as the role they play in providing information about accessibility in the Peak District. Sarah Wilks, PDNPA Head of Engagement, was present for this part of the discussion.  She updated the Forum that there had been a PDNPA press release on 6 June 2023 stating that an external donor support of funding for up to 3 years had been offered.  The proposals for the closure of the Visitor Centres was on hold for a period of time while the funding was secured, and plans drawn up.

Louise mentioned the improvements that had been made at the bottom of the Long Causeway at Stanage.  Hopefully the work would continue to the top of the track, but already it had improved access to Stanage Pole.  Louise went on to mention access to North Lees estate more generally, commenting that making sites accessible needed to be balanced with retaining the element of wilderness. Sue Smith advised about the accessible camping pods and facilities at North Lees.  More widely, the PDNPA Rights of Way Team is working with DCC to look at connectivity and to identify routes that can be linked.

Jez Kenyon raised a point about the digital side of planning for a trip or journey, in that people will have a wide range of ability.  Technology may be an important feature of access for all, but maybe some market research is needed to find out what the best way is of making information available.

Martin Bennett pointed out how important it is to install and maintain infrastructure to assist people to access all facilities and areas as fully as possible, including outside of normal business hours.

There was a concluding comment from John Towe, who stated in his experience individuals will adapt to their surroundings.  They just want to be out and about.  Information is shared amongst the disabled community, to help others make progress.