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Design for Access
The following is a list of guidance that we have collected.
The Disabled Ramblers cannot be responsible for the content of external web sites. The content of these sites might be updated without our knowledge, and the users must satisfy themselves that it is correct.
– Access for all design guide (The Environment Agency, UK)
– Access to the countryside (GOV.UK)
– Advice on bridleways and other access (The British Horse Society)
– A guide to definitive maps and changes to public rights of way – 2008 revision (NE112) (Natural England)
– Authorising structures (gaps, gates & stiles) on rights of way (The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, UK)
– By all reasonable means: Least restrictive access to the outdoors (Sensory Trust, Natural Resources Wales)
– Cycle infrastructure design (The Department for Transport, UK)
– Guidance on Local Access Forums in England (The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, UK)
– Inclusive mobility (The UK Government)
– Insider hacks: Public access and rights of way guidance (The Open Spaces Society)
– Knowledge hub >> Resource library (IPROW)
Note: The Institute of Public Rights of Way Officers (IPROW) is the professional body which represents over 350 individuals who are involved in the management of public rights of way in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. IPROW’s content is only available to its members.
– Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (The Department for Transport, UK)
– Lowland path construction guide (Paths for All)
– National Land Access Centre (GOV.UK)
A wide variety of gates and other “furniture” or barriers have been installed at the National Land Access Centre, Aston Rowant. To arrange a visit, contact: NLAC@naturalengland.org.uk
— This is a video on YouTube of the gates being used (1 to 10 are Bridle Gates & 11 to 20 are Pedestrian Gates) at the National Land Access Centre.
– Outdoor accessibility guidance (Paths for All)
This is a 2023 update of “Countryside for All”, which was produced by the Fieldfare Trust. The charity, Paths for All, has been given the copyright to “Countryside for All” and have produced this guide with the Sensory Trust.
– Public rights of way: Landowner responsibilities (GOV.UK)
– Rights of way improvement plans (The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, UK)
– Sustrans traffic-free routes and greenways design guide contents >> Access to routes (Sustrans)
– The Equality Act & BS 5709 (The Pittecroft Trust)
– The path manager’s guide to grading (Paths for All)
– Understanding the British Standard for gaps gates and stiles: BS5709:2018 explained
BS 5709:2018 gives detailed guidance on achieving Least Restrictive Access (The Pittecroft Trust, Tom Bindoff)
– Understanding the Defra guidance on public path structure (The Pittecroft Trust)
Information about gates
– The two-way, self-closing gates seem to be the easiest to use if well maintained, simple gaps are unacceptable.
— Centrewire supplies a range of gates including the two-way, self-closing gates (for example, the Centrewire Aston – 2 way gate).
— This is a video on YouTube of a two-way, self-closing gate being used from a mobility scooter. The two-way, self-closing gate in the video uses the easy latch to enable single-handed use.
– If kissing gates must be used, we recommend the Centrewire Woodstock – large mobility kissing gate, which can be opened wide with the use of a RADAR key.
— This is a video on YouTube of a kissing gate being opened by using a RADAR key from a mobility scooter.
Rules and regulations regarding mobility scooters
– GOV.UK gives the requirements for a scooter to be legal on pavements, roads and any public places: Using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
– Gov.UK the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, Section 20 states that an “Invalid Carriage” (scooter to us) is allowed on a Footpath: Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
– The Department of Transport provides regulations regarding powered wheelchairs and scooters: Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs on the road – some guidance for users