Boost to accessibility in Nidderdale following three-way collaborationHarrogate disability charity launches accessible walking route packs
A Harrogate disability charity has launched a range of accessible route packs to help more people to access the outdoors.
Open Country has produced a range of ‘breakfree’ packs offering inspiration on great places to walk, wheel, stroll, or cycle, covering the Harrogate district.
The charity helps people with disabilities to access the countryside. It offers daily activities for disabled people, including walks, conservation projects, allotment clubs, tandems clubs and adventure clubs.
The packs have been launched to celebrate National Walking Month, which takes place in May.
The Harrogate routes include the Beryl Burton cycleway, Staveley Nature Reserve, Pateley Bridge Glasshouses and the Valley Gardens.
A spokesperson for Open Country said:
“The free packs have been specially developed with wheelchair users in mind, but they could also support anyone who might struggle with exercise, limited mobility or even families with pushchairs.”
“Each trail features clear, colour maps for each location, with all the information needed to help plan a trip out, including access to facilities and points of interest.”
Open Country walks
The ‘breakfree packs’ also cover Leeds, Wakefield, Wharfedale and York. A range of audio walks are also available on the Open Country website or on their YouTube channel, so that people can enjoy fully descriptive walks from the comfort of their own home.
The charity also provides advice for landowners and organisations on accessibility issues through its Countryside Advice Service.
Packs are available to download here or the charity can to deliver or post packs in bulk to organisations. To request packs contact community@opencountry.org
An available breakfree map from Open Country, the Beryl Burton cycleway
Access is a ‘shambles’ at purpose-built Harrogate flats, says disabled resident
A brand-new block of flats that was described as “setting the standard” for assisted living facilities when it was opened this month is “an absolute shambles”, according to a resident who moved in last week.
St Roberts Grove, which offers residential care and support to people with a range of disabilities, was described as “what the future of care looks like” by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones when he cut the ribbon on the Claro Road facility in Harrogate this month.
But new resident Nick Moxon, 35, has highlighted one of the building’s shortcomings by filming himself trying to get into the lift he needs to use to reach his first-floor flat.
As shown in the video, which Mr Moxon shared with the Stray Ferret, he has first to go through a door and turn immediately right, stopping on a very small landing at the top of a flight of stairs. Then, he has to reverse his wheelchair and press the button to call the lift, before edging forward again to allow the first door to close behind him.
Once the lift has come and the door opened for him, he has to reverse through 90 degrees into the lift. But the passageway is so narrow that the manoeuvre requires a lot of shunting back and forth, and in the video clip he shared, the attempt is in vain because the lift door ‘times out’ and closes automatically, meaning that Mr Moxon has to start the process all over again.
He said:
“I can use the lift, but it usually takes me a few goes. We tenants were only allowed to see inside the building a week before we moved in, and when I saw the lift, I thought ‘why on earth have they done that?’”
“The flats are lovely, but the corridors and doorways you have to use to get to them are too narrow. In some places, two wheelchairs going in opposite directions can’t get past each other. Some people’s wheelchairs are too big to access all parts of the building, and some people can’t work the lift to see their friends because they have limited mobility in their hands.
“We were sold this idea of the building being completely accessible, allowing people to live independently, but it’s not – it’s an absolute shambles. It’s completely unacceptable for a 2024 building. The person who designed it just hasn’t put any thought into how wheelchairs can get about.”
The £7.5 million St Roberts Grove development was built and is owned by Sheffield-based Highstone Housing Association, which specialises in supported living accommodation for vulnerable adults, in partnership with local authorities across Yorkshire. The new facility has 35 accessible flats and on-site support staff is run by Disability Action Yorkshire.
Two of three planned blocks have been built, and the third, due to be built on the site of Disability Action Yorkshire’s current care home, is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Mr Moxon said:
“Far from the promise of increased independence, the layout of the two current blocks of flats deeply undermines the overall objective of the project, which should ensure that disabled persons should be allowed to dream and aspire to achieve their potential, and not be hidden by archaic and outdated attitudes obviously held by the architect who was in charge of designing our new homes.”
Mr Moxon has contacted Disability Action Yorkshire about the accessibility issues at St Roberts Grove and has presented a list of recommendations to Highstone Housing Association, which has said it will consider the matter carefully.
He added:
“I had a constructive meeting with Highstone and we’re trying to find an amicable solution. Watch this space.”
Andrew Jones MP and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson cut the ribbon at the opening.
The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Jones MP if he stood by his comment that St Roberts Grove was “what the future of care looks like”. He replied:
“The future of disability care is modern, flexible, aspirational accommodation which gives disabled people the chance to have their own tenancy, their own property and their own front door just the same as everybody else.”
He confirmed Mr Moxon had contacted him about the issue, but said the correspondence was confidential.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, for comment but not yet had a response.
Mr Jones added:
“I feel sure that Disability Action Yorkshire will want to work constructively with any tenant who raises concerns. I understand though that the chief executive is unable to comment until next week.”
Contract awarded for Ripon’s first city centre Changing Places Toilet
Ripon city centre is to get its first Changing Places toilet following the award of a £162,000 contract to Killinghall company Dalebuild Ltd.
The facility will be built on the site of the existing toilet block at the back of Sainsbury’s supermarket.
The toilets are larger and more accessible for people with disabilities and restricted mobility who cannot use standard accessible toilets. They include equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.
News of the contract awarded by North Yorkshire Council was announced at last night’s full meeting of Ripon City Council by Councillor Andrew Williams.
The new toilet will be built on the site of the existing block near the bus station
The city council leader and North Yorkshire Council member for the Minster and Moorside division that includes the city centre, said:
“Now that the contract has been confirmed, we look forward to seeing it built and in use as soon as possible.”
“With its proximity to the bus station, it is a great addition to Ripon, making the city centre more accessible for local residents and visitors.”
After a successful bid by the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon Disability Forum, £40,000 was granted through the government’s Changing Places Fund towards the cost of the new facility.
Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of RDF which, through its Access Ambassadors initiative, is working alongside businesses and other organisations in the city to make Ripon more access aware and accessible, told the Stray Ferret:
“Changing Places toilets allow families greater freedom when caring for a family member with specific needs.
“They allow whole families to shop, visit and travel with more confidence and security. For independent people with greater need it means their independence is supported by the facilities they need.
“This is great news for businesses, residents and visitors to the city of Ripon.”
Changing Places toilets at other Ripon locations
Ripon already has a Changing Places toilet at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre but not one in the city centre,
However, Ripon Cathedral has plans to include one as part of its proposed £8 million annexe development on Minster Gardens, These would be in replacement for the current public toilets on the site.
Main image: The Changing Places toilet design ensures that they are fully accessible.
Ripon businesses given free help to be more disability-friendly
Ripon Disability Forum is arranging free training for local businesses, voluntary organisations and councils aimed at making the city more accessible.
The training, at Community House on Allhallowgate, is being provided by disability consultants Nimbus Disability. It will take place from 9.30am to 2pm on October 26.
Nimbus created The Access Card, which is an ID card for disabled people that indicates what their legal rights might be and gives businesses an indication of the support they need to provide.
RDF trustee Jeremy Dunford, who is a wheelchair user, said:
“The Purple Pound, which refers to the spending power of people with a disability, is estimated to be worth £274 billion per year to the UK economy, so it is in the interests of businesses to ensure that their premises are as accessible as possible for those with limited mobility.
“However, it’s not just about clients and customers, it’s is also about employment opportunities, information sharing/presentation and technology.
“It is also about developing the best accessible practise by overcoming barriers that can be overcome and sharing open information when a barrier cannot be overcome for example, when it is not possible to provide ramped access to a listed building.”
With 25 places available at Community House, the training is being offered on a first come, first served basis to businesses or organisations that operate in, or serve Ripon and its surrounding area. Attendance via Zoom can also be arranged.
Bookings should be made via ripondisabilityforum@gmail.com or the forum’s facebook page.
Harrogate district wheelchair accessible trails to be given additional promotion
Rural trails in the Harrogate area, which can be enjoyed by wheelchair users and people with mobility problems, are to be given additional promotion.
Knaresborough West Liberal Democrat councillor, Matt Walker, has provided a £2000 grant from his locality budget to print new Breakfree packs highlighting where the trails are.
Every councillor has an annual locality budget of £10,000 to support local projects of their choice that “promote the social, economic, or environmental wellbeing of the communities they represent.”
The packs, produced by the charity Open Country, consist of a variety of different trails in Harrogate, Knaresborough, and Ripon that are accessible for people with disabilities. They include maps, detailed routes, and access information.
Cllr Walker said:
“There are many good reasons to get out into the fresh air to enjoy the hugely varied countryside our county has to offer.
“The benefits to our mental and physical wellbeing are well documented, and it is essential that the opportunity is open to everyone, so I am delighted to have been able to support the creation of these packs, which are readily available, and which offer accessible routes to local residents as well as visitors from other parts of North Yorkshire and beyond.”
David Shaftoe, chief officer of Open Country, said:
“We’re really delighted to be able to issue this updated guide to the very best of our local accessible countryside. It’s all part of Open Country’s goal to help disabled people access and enjoy the great outdoors.
“We hope that people will enjoy using it and will want to try one of our other Breakfree packs for adjacent areas.”
Wheelchair user praises Harrogate restaurant for buying ramp
A wheelchair user has praised the owner of Harrogate restaurant Oliveta who personally went out and bought a ramp so she could dine inside.
Now, Nichola Emmerson is calling for other businesses in the town to follow suit in a bid to make eating out more accessible.
Ms Emmerson, who is a campaigner and advocate for disabled access, said she believed any public service should be available to everyone.
She said:
“I’m finding in Harrogate that as much as I love the town, there are an awful lot of businesses that aren’t accessible. I think there are a lot that could be.
“I feel a bit let down by society. I want it to change. The legislation in this country is not good enough for access and there are ways and means of getting around it. So companies get away with not providing access.”
Ms Emmerson, who lives in Harrogate, said she enjoyed going to restaurants, but often ended up being limited to chains, which usually provided access.
A few weeks ago, she spotted Oliveta, on Station Parade, which she saw had steps but decided to call the restaurant to see if there was another entrance.
She said:
“The owner was extremely polite and whilst informing me that he didn’t have wheelchair access, it was something he was working on.
“In the meantime, he suggested that he would put a table and some chairs outside. A great idea I thought, so the following evening, the sun was shining and I met my friend at Oliveta’s. We had a wonderful evening and the food was sublime.”
Since that evening, Ms Emmerson spent time working with the owner, Kole Lleshi, in an effort to get a ramp, doorbell and signage installed to make it wheelchair accessible.
She said:
“To my absolute delight, Kole has now got a ramp, which he funded himself, following an attempt to get help from the local council and failing.
“I am now able to access the restaurant, which has the most wonderful interior and the icing on the cake is knowing there is also a fully accessible disabled toilet. These adjustments make such a different the lives of disabled people.”
Kole Lleshi, who opened the Mediterranean restaurant with his wife Bukurie, in December 2021, said he had tried to seek support from Harrogate Borough Council, but did not get a response.
He said:
“Nichola will be my customer now forever, so I checked the legislation and it said we could use a safety ramp.
“I found a ramp in Doncaster on a website. So I went with my wife, we bought it. I called Nichola and told her to come back and we tried and it’s working. She came in and that night she was supposed to stay only one hour and stayed for three.”
Ms Emmerson explained that there was a huge potential spending power from the country’s disabled people, known as “the purple pound”. This is thought to contribute around £249 billion annually to the economy.
She said:
“Our money is as valuable as anyone else’s. If we can’t get into services to use it, then it’s not good for the economy.”
“The fact that this has happened is very close to my heart. When I went into the restaurant I just felt free. It has also got a disabled toilet. Quite a lot are full of changing tables and they are an after thought, but this is a nice environment.
“I now want other disabled people to come here to enjoy the food and use the facilities and I want other businesses to follow suit.
“Of course Harrogate is hilly and full of old buildings, but I’m finding that retailers are either not bothered about trying to make what in most cases could be a simple change to their premises. Or they are unaware of the the purple pound and the pieces of equipment that are available.”
The disabled toilet at Oliveta.
Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.
A spokesman for the charity said for some businesses it was impossible to adapt the premises and make them fully accessible. However, he said there were ways of making them more welcoming for disabled people.
He said:
“For someone to buy their own ramp, that’s absolutely fantastic. Now wheelchair users can go and have a meal there.
“If anybody wants advice on this issue, please contact Disability Action Yorkshire. We can work with businesses to help them operate in a disability-friendly way.”
A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council commented:
“Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses should ensure they do not discriminate against individuals with a disability. Further guidance, including all statutory requirements for businesses, can be found on the government’s website.
“Any eligible individuals who may need financial support to help adapt their home in order to meet the needs of any disabled children or adults living there can apply for a disabled facilities grant (DFG). Further information is available via our website.”
Ripon gran, 81, misses family moment due to council van in disabled parking bay
An 81-year-old disabled gran from Ripon missed a special moment with her granddaughter because a council van was parked in a disabled space.
The woman, who asked not to be named, had been driven to Holy Trinity primary school to surprise her granddaughter at pick-up time.
But she was unable to park near enough to the school to do so because the disabled space was taken.
She contacted the Stray Ferret to raise awareness of the need for drivers to be more considerate.
She said:
“My granddaughter has recently started at the school and I knew it would be a lovely surprise for her if she came out of her classroom and I was there to meet her.
“I can only walk very short distances and was taken to the school by my son, but had to stay in the car while he went to Holy Trinity to collect his daughter.”
“It was distressing and I would just like to ask those able bodied people, who think it’s OK to park in bays provided for the disabled, to be more considerate.”
Jeremy Dunford urges able bodied drivers to leave disabled bays free.
“When people see empty accessible parking bays or areas they tend to think the following: ‘I will only be a couple of minutes’ or ‘There is plenty of space for others’.
“Others just think ‘I’m in a rush, so where’s the harm?'”
“These people do it for their convenience and, to be brutally honest, to avoid having to walk too far.
“This is an option that many people with disabilities do not have.”
Mr Dunford said the scenario facing the grandmother was common to all disabled drivers. He added:
“It is not about having to be near to a specific shop every time, it is about having access to buildings, areas and facilities with the relative ease that able bodied people have.
“We also have to say that parking up with a disabled passenger, leaving them in the car, and then going off is also unacceptable. This is also down to laziness
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“We’d like to apologise to the Harrogate district resident who sadly could not park in the disabled parking bay near Holy Trinity School in Ripon.
“Our vehicle shouldn’t haven’t been parked there and we be reminding staff who drive work vehicles the importance of disabled bays.”
Future of Ripon’s Hell Wath nature reserve generates heated discussion
More than 100 people with passionate but different views about the future of Hell Wath Nature Reserve attended a meeting in Ripon last night.
The meeting, at Ripon Bowling Club, was organised by Keep Hell Wath Natural, a group concerned about clearance and other work at the reserve, including removal of a large area of hawthorn and blackthorn, the felling of trees and draining/de-silting of a pond.
The work is being done as part of the National Lottery-funded £2.5m Skell Valley Project, which involves work on a 12-mile stretch of the River Skell between Dallowgill Moor and Hell Wath.
Members of Keep Hell Wath Natural, along with local residents, dog walkers and people who have been visiting the area for up to 55 years joined representatives from the Friends of Hell Wath, the Skell Valley Project, and Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper at the meeting. It was chaired by independent city councillor Peter Horton.
Meeting organisers Janet Anderson (centre) and Brian Don, pictured in January in an area of Hell Wath where clearance works have taken place
Project partners include the National Trust, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Harrogate Borough Council, which has a 99 year lease on Hell Wath negotiated at a peppercorn rent with landowner Tarmac.
Objectors say ‘brutal’ clearance has gone too far
Speaker after speaker said they wanted Hell Wath to remain as they have known it for decades — as a natural and largely un-touched area with trees, shrubs, grassland, riverside paths and pond.
They were critical of the clearance activities that have already taken place as part of the Skell Valley Project.
Fears were also expressed about possible longer-term plans to create a cycle path, which they believe would be hazardous for owners who take their dogs to exercise at Hell Wath and let them off the lead.
They believe that the clearance ‘went too far’ removing areas of bushes, trees and water that sustain wildlife ranging from frogs and newts to birds, rabbits and hedgehogs.
The removal of trees and scrub, was described by two speakers as ‘brutal’ and ‘creating a mess.’
Sheila Boyd summed up the feelings of many present, when she said:
“We are talking about an area that has been completely cleared and destroyed, taking away the habitat for hedgehogs, butterflies, birds and other creatures.
“There are four large and open fields at Hell Wath, with barely a tree in sight, so why couldn’t these pockets of bushes and woodland be left as they were?”
What was the response from the Skell Valley Project?
Project manager Nabil Abbas explained the reason for the clearance works. He said
“Historically, in a wild landscape like this, there would have been large herbivores like wild boar, wild cattle, elk, beavers etc living and naturally managing the land.
“Regular catastrophic events such as flooding or wildfires would also take place, all of which remove trees and shrubs and help to maintain a mosaic of open habitats suitable for a broad range of different species.”
Nabil Abbas
He added:
“Cattle did graze at Hell Wath for a long period, however it is not appropriate to reintroduce them given the way the community now use and enjoy the space.
“Due to the absence of these natural processes which would keep them in check, trees and shrubs are spreading through these precious open areas.
“As a result, we risk losing the diversity of species such as rare orchids and wildflowers, bees, butterflies and other pollinators, and the birds and animals that feed on them, if we do not actively manage these remaining habitats.
“In summary, our landscape is no longer ‘natural’ since key ecological processes are no longer operating, and therefore human intervention is needed to conserve the diversity of habitats and species which depend on them.”
Council leader ‘shocked’
Cllr Cooper, said he was ‘shocked’ by the hostile reaction to some of the points made by Mr Abbas and claimed there had been an attempt to ‘shout him down and heckle’ him.
In response, a member of the audience, said:
“You should understand the strength of feeling in this room and that is why people are getting heated about what is happening at Hell Wath.”
‘Shocked’ Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper. Picture: Tyler Parker Photography
‘No plans for a cycle path’ – Friends of Hell Wath
Both the secretary of the Friends of Hell Wath, Jeremy Dunford and committee member Carol Leo, were categoric in saying that a cycle path is not planned as part of their work or that of the Skell Valley Project.
Mr Dunford, who is also chair of the Ripon Disability Forum, confirmed there are plans to improve paths and access for people who, like himself, are wheelchair users, or families with children in pushchairs. He said:
“There will be no cycle paths, no tarmac, no concrete, but we want to ensure that Hell Wath is accessible to everybody. We all have a right to visit this area.”
Jeremy Dunford, spoke about improving accessibility
Ms Leo, added:
“There will also be no bridleways and there will be signage on all entrances saying ‘no cycling’.”
“It is clear that people here are passionate about Hell Wath and I hope that we can all work together.
“I ask those of you who are not already members of the Friends of Hell Wath to come and join us.”
Accessibility for all becomes top priority for Harrogate shops
A number of Harrogate shop keepers have called in a local charity to help them become more accessible for disabled customers.
Disability Action Yorkshire is working with some retailers on Commercial Street in a move that it is hoped will also make them more profitable.
The spending power of disabled people and their families, known as the purple pound, is estimated to be worth £249 billion and increasing each year.
Josh McCormack, Disability Action Yorkshire’s think access co-ordinator, has been advising businesses.
Mr McCormack recommended the owner of The Cheeseboard, which is a small store and has a step in the entrance, put a sign in the window saying, “If you can’t come into to us, we will come out to you”.
This informs customers with wheelchairs or prams that they are welcome and can get help.
Mr McCormack said:
“More and more businesses are now looking at making their premises accessible to all, particularly as online shopping became a way of life during the three national covid lockdowns.
“In many cases, becoming accessible need not cost a penny. Businesses are starting to realise the value of the purple pound and to become accessible they need someone who can advise them.
“My role at Disability Action Yorkshire is to go into a business, conduct an audit, and them produce a report. Disabled people want to enjoy the same experiences as everybody else, and a business becoming accessible makes complete sense.”
The charity has said it is keen to work with shops across the Harrogate district that want to become more accessible.
Gemma Aykroyd, the owner of The Cheeseboard, said:
“I’d like to thank Josh for visiting our shop and speaking to me about what we could do to become more accessible.
“Whilst the limited space and step are a barrier, Josh offered us some very practical and simple advice. This simple measure says we will go that extra mile, ensuring we cater for everyone.”
