Accessible path enables students to explore nature

The path runs along the perimeter of the National Star College

A new fully accessible path has enabled wheelchair users to explore the countryside independently.

The 680m (2,230ft) path connecting the Cotswold Way to Crickley Hill Country Park near Ullenwood, Gloucestershire, runs along the perimeter of National Star College.

It has been created as part of a scheme funded by National Highways to improve the narrow and remote path network in and around the A417 missing link.

Elaine Hodgin, the college's sustainability lead, said: "Students at National Star are passionate about biodiversity and getting close to nature."

Before the new path was created, students relying on wheelchairs could not access the country park without being transported by minibus.

Ms Hodgin said the path would also enable students to "play a part in conserving their local landscape".

In the autumn, students will work alongside community volunteers to plant saplings along the perimeter of the path, to help the county towards achieving its target of 20% of woodland cover by 2030.

The college at Ullenwood Manor caters to students with physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and associated learning difficulties

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, funding for the Connecting Parishes Project came from a Gloucestershire County Council local access forum meeting.

The first bid to National Highways funded a feasibility study of improving accessibility and connectivity for several schemes in parishes affected by the missing link roadworks.

Out of this scheme came 18 projects, aimed at connecting people from the urban area to the Cotswold Way and the Cotswolds path network.

Over two years, improvements were made to surfaces, drainage, signage and the removal of barriers like stiles and narrow gates.

The final scheme was the new path link at National Star College, which officially opened on Wednesday.