D4, Isca House
Haven Road
Exeter, Devon
EX2 8DS
Disabled people helped to explore the South West’s countryside thanks to new Countryside Mobility
A new ‘Countryside Mobility’ scheme covering the South West of England has been launched this summer which aims to make access to the countryside easier for disabled people. Base on the principle of town centre Shopmobility schemes, ‘Tramper’ all-terrain mobility buggies are now available to hire for use on paths and trails at five countryside sites and visitor attractions across the South West. The scheme, run by Exeter based charity Living Options Devon, officially opened for business this week at the sites across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. James Maben, Countryside Mobility Project Manager said “we are working with a range of organisations who have wanted to make the sites they manage fully accessible to disabled people for a long time. By providing Trampers for use on the paths and trails at the sites, people with mobility problems can explore like anyone else”. The current sites involved in the scheme include Haldon Forest Park (Exeter), Stover Country Park (Newton Abbot), Durlston Country Park (Swanage), Berry head National Nature Reserve (Brixham) and Siblyback Reservoir (Launceston). “We are currently in talks with many other countryside sites across the region and hope to have Trampers available at many different locations over the next few years. Later this year, our first wheelchair accessible ‘Wheelyboat’ will be available to hire at Tamar Lakes near Bude and we are looking for locations for more boats.” The scheme is being supported with a grant from Natural England as part of its Access to Nature programme, funded from the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Jo Lewis, Natural England Access to Nature Advisor said: “Creating greater access to nature for everyone is really important to Natural England. Without projects such as this many people would miss out on the opportunity to get active in their local environment and benefit from the many health, social and educational benefits this type of project provides.”
The Trampers can be hired for a small hourly charge and must be booked in advance and are only available to hire through a membership scheme to ensure people receive proper training in how to use them safely. Full details about the scheme, the sites, and how to become a member can be found on the website www.countrysidemobility.org, by telephoning 01392 456522 or by emailing info@countrysidemobility.org.
We have an excellent working partnership with Living Options trying to make quite challenging sites more accessible. Their expertise and experience has been strategically and practically helpful and they are always friendly and approachable to work with.
Kate Osborne, Royal Albert Memorial Museum