Path Access

Paths should be accessible by everyone, irrespective of mode of transport and ability. Sadly this is not always the case.

One of our priorities as a charity is for paths to be available to all, and to eliminate barriers.

We provide a problem reporting process below so that people using paths and trails can report access problems that they come across, so that we gradually build up a relatively complete map of access issues. We will then work with land owners to help to remove such barriers. This does not stop people also reporting problems on North Yorkshire Council paths direct the the council (the obvious drawback with that route is that NYC do not provide an online map showing all of the issues that people have reported … whereas we do).

Barrier Map

The following map shows all reported (to us) barriers to entry to active travel paths that we are aware of. Any barriers to entry reported to us will be added to this. The barriers to entry are for particular modes of transport only.

A selection of the reported problem areas are presented below.

Stakesby Vale (7) - Approaching Stakesby Vale unadopted road

Stakesby Vale Steps

Series of steps at the Stakesby Vale end of the Bagdale Beck greenspace area, preventing access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and bicycles.

Calla Beck Entrance

Barrier preventing access to a community greenspace resource. Additionally the path beyond often gets very muddy, limiting the use of the area.

Trod Path gate

Gate on Monks Trod path at end of Anchorage Way, preventing access to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs etc.

Report a Barrier To Access

One of our committed aims is for paths to be accessible to everyone. Whilst some paths, such as the coast path (Cleveland Way), cannot easily comply with that due to the necessity for steps to overcome geography, the majority should be made accessible for such as a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

As mentioned people are able to report problems direct to landowners, such as North Yorkshire Council, or North York Moors National Park, we provide a mechanism (opposite) for people to define where a problem is. We will then mark it on our map (above) and report it through the normal channels. If it was something that we could have an impact on then we will try to assist.

Note that during the period April-May 2024 we did a survey in conjunction with Whitby, Scarborough and Ryedale DAG to gather a baseline for this aim. The results of that are marked on the map above also.