Volunteers help make Dartmoor more accessible

Kate Wass said being able to get on Dartmoor made her feel "at one with the world"

A group of volunteers has been working to make Dartmoor more accessible for people using mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

The Wheeled Access Group worked with Dartmoor National Park to make changes to existing routes.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority received around £150,000 from Defra in the last two years to improve access to the moors.

Kate Wass, member of the Wheeled Access Group, said: "It might be difficult to describe but it makes me feel at one with the world, it makes me feel included in society and not closed out."

'They're almost impossible'

Ms Wass added: "That's one of the big problems with being disabled, you often feel shut out. To get up onto the moor and to be able to feel this around me, yeah, absolutely love it."

The Wheeled Access Group was formed in 2018 in the Dartmoor walking festival when members of Disabled Ramblers suggested including walking groups specifically designed for mobility scooter users.

Tim Russell, access officer at Dartmoor National Park, said: "The project we're working on particularly, called Miles Without Stiles, ... [is] getting rid of stiles because they're almost impossible for lots of people to climb over, in winter they're slippy."

He explained using spare granite as a bridge they could provide circular routes for the group.

Group member Norman Page said it was "great to get out into the countryside, meet up with friends, have a laugh".

"Alright, sometimes it rains but we are in Britain, it doesn't matter," he said.

Jackie Ball, also in the group, added: "It's brilliant to be able to look at the scenery and be out in the fresh air, you know, and enjoy the moors."