Calls for government to improve countryside walkways

The government is facing calls to make countryside walkways more accessible to those with disabilities and limited mobility.

Walking charity Ramblers is calling for the removal of “unnecessary barriers” in the next five years.

The calls have been backed by Paralympic gold medallist David Weir CBE, who lives in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it had set its own ambition for every household to be within 15 minutes of green space or water.

Ramblers said wheelchair users, some of the elderly, those with pushchairs and dog walkers are hindered by unmaintained gates, stiles, steps and path surfaces, as well as lack of public toilet facilities and seating.

The charity has launched its Outdoors Unlocked campaign, which calls for new legislation to ensure everyone has access to green space within a 15-minute walk.

Jack Cornish, Rambler’s head of paths, said the government must play a role to “reduce obstructions for disabled people”.

Mr Weir said that access to nature impacted his mental and physical wellbeing.

“Through experiencing what accessibility is like in different countries across the world, I can say that the UK is one of the strongest,” he said.

“However, it’s clear that we still have a way to go, especially in aspects such as making our path network more accessible and useable for those with disabilities.”

He added: “If more people are able to get outside and get active in nature, the knock-on effect for our physical and mental health will be huge.”

A Defra spokeswoman said its £16m Access for All programme helped to reduce barriers preventing people from accessing green spaces.

“More than £3.5m has already been spent on resurfacing paths, replacing stiles with accessible gates and the provision of new all-terrain trampers,” she said.

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