Accessibility improvements made at climbing spot

Horseshoe Quarry in Derbyshire is a popular site for climbers

Improvements have been made to a climbing hotspot in the Peak District to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.

Changes at Horseshoe Quarry, near Stoney Middleton in Derbyshire, include the installation of a wheelchair-friendly gate and the removal of boulders from an access path.

The work was funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs through its Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) says climbing is a sport which can be adapted to suit people with a wide range of disabilities and has welcomed the improvements.

Paraclimber Luke Jamieson says improved access to climbing sites makes a massive difference

Luke Jamieson, who has cerebral palsy, took up climbing while studying at university and is one of the first to benefit from the improvements at the site.

The 25-year-old, from Sheffield, can walk short distances, but his wheelchair helps provide independence.

"It's a limiting factor when you've got to consider I might have to have a carer to life my wheelchair over the boulders or help me through the crag," he said.

"But with the access we now have here it allows me to come with my friends midweek and have a good session.

Paraclimber Jonathan Shields has also welcomed the changes

Jonathan Shields lost the lower part of his left leg in a climbing accident at Curbar in 2019, but is able to continue his hobby thanks to a specially-adapted prosthetic leg.

The 58-year-old, from Belper, told the BBC the improvements to the site are "great".

He said: "I'm absolutely in favour of getting disabled people outside.

"As incredible as it is to see people with disabilities climbing inside, I think to be able to relate to everybody else in the climbing community is great."

Dominic Oughton, president of the BMC, said climbing had "proven health benefits"

The BMC hopes the work at Horseshoe Quarry could be the springboard for similar projects elsewhere.

Dominic Oughton, president of the organisation, said: "Climbing is just an amazing thing to do in terms of it being immersive and challenging.

"Encouraging so many more people to do that and providing easy access is a great step forward."

More than 13 million people visit the Peak District National Park each year, and Phil Mulligan, chief executive, hopes the improvements to accessibility will boost visitor numbers further.

"We've made this site fully accessible to anyone with any physical disabilities will find it much easier to get here," he said.

"You can come here just for a walk or you can come here for a climb.

"You can come here just for nature or to see some wonderful geological features."