Increasing accessibility for all

We are constantly trying to improve the rights of way to make areas more accessible for the less mobile or for people with young children and pushchairs.

The Authority has an Access Development Officer, Rachel Briggs, who focuses on developing and promoting opportunities for people who are less mobile to access the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Information about accessible walks can be found in our 'Enjoying’ section and you may also want to look at the Gates and stiles page for more ways we are increasing the accessibility of the National Park.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar

We have recently been working on the footpath to Gordale Scar, improving the drainage and reducing the gradient at one point to make this route accessible for wheelchair users.

The footpath to Malham Cove has recently been extended so that there is less on-road walking. More work will be done on this route later on this year to resurface it.

Cumbria

Area Ranger Paul Wilkinson is in the process of surveying certain routes with access to the countryside for Tramper style wheelchair users. These battery operated wheelchairs are an excellent way of getting out into the countryside on footpaths, bridleways and Open Access land. The routes promoted by the Authority will be deemed suitable for use by people based upon nationally recognised access for all standards.