Broad success for visitor access
18 January 2010
Research has shown that disabled people, minority groups, young people and those who live in inner city areas are less likely to access the natural environment. The reasons vary, but most put it down to transport, finances and a lack of habit.
Debbie Gosman, East of England adviser for Natural England’s Outdoors For All programme decided to see for herself what the difficulties were when organising an outing when one group member is a wheelchair user.
“We wanted to find out how easy it really is to access rural places, so we set about planning our own day to see what difficulties people encounter and what barriers need to be overcome” said Debbie.
“We chose to visit Cockshoot Broad, part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve by bus and boat. The most challenging aspect was finding information on accessible bus travel as one member of the group is a wheelchair user, but I eventually found Traveline East Anglia on the internet which shows the stops on a map, making it easier to see how to plan the journey.”
“We weren’t sure whether the bus could accommodate the wheelchair, but it worked out really well. After a 45 minute journey from Norwich to Ludham Bridge, we were only two minutes from the Nancy Oldfield Trust where we got the boat to the nature reserve” she continued. The Nancy Oldfield Trust has specially adapted boats for disabled passengers and runs a variety of water based activities in the Broads.
Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve is renowned for its water lily beds and has a boardwalk and hide, providing good access from the River Ant for disabled visitors. The boardwalk is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. Feedback about the height of the viewing window for wheelchair users was welcomed by site staff at the reserve.
Dr Helen MacVicker, Natural England’s manager of the Outdoors for All programme said: “It’s satisfying to know that people can reach the beautiful Norfolk Broads and experience the unique pleasures that the area has to offer without having to rely on a car and without breaking the bank. Our bus tickets were £5.80 return from Norwich railway station and the 3 hour boat trip cost £8 per person. A family of four can travel from anywhere in Norwich to Ludham Bridge for £16.40. This is terrific value and the kind of trip that many more people could do and that’s what we want to encourage.”
Pensioners and disabled people go free if they have a bus pass (see First Eastern bus website for family deals) or call their customer helpline.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
For further information contact: Linzee Kottman on 0300 060 2058/07824475359 or Heather Duncan on 07970 228388. Out of hours 07970 098005.
About the Nancy Oldfield Trust
The Nancy Oldfield Trust
offers disabled as well as socially disadvantaged people excitement, freedom and adventure out on the Norfolk Broads. Visit for a day, a weekend or a week in specially adapted accommodation.
About Outdoors for All
Outdoors for All
promotes access to the outdoors for all people and is particularly aimed at improving the diversity of those participating in outdoor activities.Research carried out as part of the Diversity Review by Defra
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife sites, ensuring that over 3,500 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats. We have recently committed £6m to develop wetland areas and have detailed biodiversity action plans covering 75% of England’s species
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
