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‘Moors for All’ has been developed
by the Moors for the Future Partnership. It aims to improve access
to and participation in the moorland heritage of the Peak District
for everyone.
In July 2008, Moors for the Future
will launch a free guide called 'You're Welcome'. It provides
essential information that will enable visitors to make
an informed decision about which areas will be suitable
to visit depending on their needs.
The 48 page booklet divides the Peak
District into five distinct areas and supplies information
about easy going paths, accessible car parks and children’s
play areas across the National Park. Further to this, information
on accessible toilets, public transport and scenic viewpoints
can also be found.
The free booklet, spiral bound
for ease of use, is now available from all National Park
Visitor Centres, but some of the pages are available to
view by following the link below:
You're
Welcome Online Version
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There are many opportunities to enhance moorland
access for disabled people, the elderly and families with small
children, even to areas classed as Access Land, where local authorities
are not under obligation to remove barriers.
Moors for the Future kick started the project
early in 2005 by hosting a
'Moors
for All' Conference. Presentations by leading figures
in access and disability issues were followed by workshop sessions.
Delegates highlighted barriers to moorland access they or someone
they know has encountered in the Peak District moorlands.
Over the ensuing three and a half years Moors
for the Future completed access improvement works at five moorland
locations, upgrading existing footpaths to remove unnecessary barriers
like steps and stiles and provide smooth continuous surfaces so
that disabled people, families with small children and the elderly
can also access the moors.
Use the links below to find out more about
each project or view the online
version of the 'You're Welcome' guide for visitor information.
Alternatively, you can also find a digital version of the predecessor
to this guide 'Access
for All' on the Peak
District National Park Authorities website.
In September we undertook a survey of over
700 people to attain their views on the work undertaken so far,
work planned work for the future and how they would like to see
information publicised. The results were overwhelmingly positive.
Of particular note was that 93% of interviewees thought the work
at the four sites was necessary and all the visitors
to Slippery Stones thought the work was in-keeping with its surroundings.
89% of visitors to these sites also said they would recommend or
bring young people or people with mobility problems there in the
future. Please contact us if you would like to see a copy of the
report.
In June 2005, a pilot scheme improved a footpath
at Surprise View, 2 miles east of Hathersage. Before the work, the
car park had three designated blue badge holder parking bays, but
kissing gates prevented access to the moors for wheelchair and pushchair
users.
 
The two kissing gates were replaced with
two-way bridle gates with appropriate handles. Also, surfacing along
the 300m path has been improved to create a level surface with a
minimum width of 900mm.
Visitor
information and a map for this location can be found by looking
at the online 'You're Welcome' guide.
The Burbage Valley already offers a wonderful
combination of landscape, historical remains, wildlife and a range
of recreational opportunities. These factors, combined with its
close proximity to Sheffield, make it one of the most popular moorland
areas of the National Park.
However, until 2006 a narrow pedestrian gate
and a tatty old field gate wrapped in barbed wire welcomed visitors
to this busy moorland gateway. The Green Drive itself had become
badly worn by trampling and water damage, making it impassable to
visitors with a disability. The gate at the southern end of the
valley allowed access for all, but only for a short distance. Two
wheelchair users who negotiated the full 2 km ascent of the Drive
had to return the way they came due to the inaccessibility of the
surface and gate at the northern end. To improve this situation
was a priority.
An improvement scheme was therefore designed
and funded by a partnership of the National Park Access Team, Sheffield
City Council and Moors for the Future. Work was carried out by the
in-house Countryside Maintenance Team.
The team undertook appropriate surfacing
and drainage provision along the northern 200 metres and southern
800 metres of Green Drive and installed new kissing gates at either
end. While the metal kissing gates move away from traditional wooden
gates, they provide a robust solution that will prevent motorbike
access, yet allow large mobility vehicle owners to pass, through
use of the ‘radar key’ system (used for preventing misuse
of toilet facilities for disabled people).
The culvert 150 metres south of Upper
Burbage has been 'bridged' to allow a continuous smooth surface
allows access to the valley for a wider audience. Seating has been
provided and an interpretation panel illustrating the valley’s
natural and cultural heritage installed, helping visitors to discover,
appreciate and respect this special place. As of 2008, dedicated
accessible parking is now available at Burbage South car park. Blue
badge holders will require a ‘radar’ key to access the
separate parking area and these are available from your local authority.
Visitor
information and a map for this location can be found by looking
at the online 'You're Welcome' guide.
The Derwent Valley is very popular with visitors
to the Peak District. It is probably most famous for the Dambusters
trials and a 12 mile circular route taking you around the Ladybower,
Derwent and Howden reservoirs.
Until June 2006, a packhorse bridge in the
north was the only section of path that consisted of steps. These
have now been removed and replaced with ramps on either side, completing
the loop for the benefit of powered wheelchairs and robust pushchairs.
In addition, a 1400 metre length section
of the route resurfaced, giving easier access to a popular informal
picnic site in the heart of the moors.
Visitor
information and a map
for this location can be found by looking at the online 'You're
Welcome' guide.
This site was already the location of a 'wheelchair
friendly path' but years of wear and tear and improvements in standards
meant this 300 metre path was not fit for the job. A new surface
was laid and a gate replaced to once again open up a fantastic view
that takes in Curbar Edge (another restored footpath by Moors for
the Future), the Derwent Valley and even Chatsworth on a good day.
Visitor
information and a map
for this location can be found by looking at the online 'You're
Welcome' guide.
This final project phase of access improvements
will see the replacement of three gates that will enable the safe
passage of wheelchairs, pushchairs and large mobilty scooters. In
addition 1300 metres of resurfacing will be undertaken to provide
a smooth continuous surface around the 2.5 mile circuit. Work is
due for completition by August 2008.
Visitor
information and a map for this location can be found by looking
at the online 'You're Welcome' guide.
With the vast majority of visitors travelling
to the Peak District moors by car, Moors for the Future are keen
to promote public transport as an alternative means of travel. Besides
funding a bus service that links walkers from both Glossop and Sheffield
with high moorland areas, we have ensured all our audio
trails (MP3 led guided walks) start and finish at bus stops
and train stations.
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