Wheelchair/pram access for footpaths

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Wheelchair/pram access for footpaths
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tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45502
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 12:49 pm Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

Are you doing anything with the surface of the path? If so that gives the opportunity to put in speed management/bollards etc. Perhaps the Ramblers Assoc or other similar bodies can offer advice.

I'm worried about speaking to the RA or whatever, don't want to get bogged down in red tape etc, just want to make a lovely footpath.

At the moment the surface of the bit that has trees either side is mud/twigs/leaves, the rest of the paths are just worn into the grass.

Spose I could bark them??

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45502
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 12:52 pm Post subject:

Andy B wrote:

https://www.smallwoods.org.uk/115_Home.asp

https://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/communitywoodlandnetwork/

Maybe these people can help.

I'll have a mooch

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 12:53 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

Spose I could bark them??

Depends how much use they're likely to get. If it's at all moderatly used and the ground holds water then I'd go with chippings. They don't need to be do deep, but they'll supress weeds, allow drainage and hold the earth together.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 12:54 pm Post subject:
I'd leave them as natural as possible, people should expect countryside in the countryside. When I spoke to a council about footpaths they were helpful but I expect it's down to individual people you talk to. I'd just ensure the paths are kept clear of fallen wood/plants etc and nothing encroaches on them

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45502
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 12:55 pm Post subject:

Northern_Lad wrote:

If it's at all moderatly used and the ground holds water then I'd go with chippings.

I'd say moderately used, the ground is amazingly free draining (for Essex)

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 12:58 pm Post subject:
Is it rural, semirural or urban? as TD says whatever you do needs to fit.

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:00 pm Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

as TD says whatever you do needs to fit.

Unfortunatly, you're both right.
I'm just used to walking in the Dales and Lakes where the soil's been warn away so much that the rock shows through.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:02 pm Post subject:
As an idea why not take a walk around some local 'institutional' land who want to appear nice and allow access but keep it controlled/managed. Your local water company reservoir (if there is such a thing) may be a start. It's something we spend quite a lot of time and money on, but onviously the pennines aren't essex.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45502
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:02 pm Post subject:

Northern_Lad wrote:

I'm just used to walking in the Dales and Lakes where the soil's been warn away so much that the rock shows through.

No rock round here mate (not far from Southend though)

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:03 pm Post subject:
Any chance fo a grid reference or location name so I can nosey on the OS website?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45502
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:04 pm Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

As an idea why not take a walk around some local 'institutional' land who want to appear nice and allow access but keep it controlled/managed. Your local water company reservoir (if there is such a thing) may be a start. It's something we spend quite a lot of time and money on, but onviously the pennines aren't essex.

Funny enough there's a huge reservoir not 2 miles away, just getting the time to go there....

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45502
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:10 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

I'd just ensure the paths are kept clear of fallen wood/plants etc and nothing encroaches on them

Good idea, cheap too

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:11 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

Bernie66 wrote:

Difficult, i would try to control speed rather than access if you are trying to deter hooligans and welcome the kids.

I ain't putting speed bumps in Bernie

Speed bumps would encourage the hooligans as they are something to jump over.
On the Wirral way which is 15 odd miles of old railway line turned into walkway they have fenced off most of the path so handle bars would have to be turned to get bikes through the "open area". The fence is a single bar high enough for wheelchairs and pushchairs to be pushed under but low enough to mean bike riders cannot duck to avoid them. The bar is painted white to avoid accidental collisions.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:20 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

I'd just ensure the paths are kept clear of fallen wood/plants etc and nothing encroaches on them

Good idea, cheap too

That's the legal requirements IIRC, not sure about who's responsible for the track. It's certainly worth finding out who is leagally responsible to ensure no one trys to claim compensation for tripping over summit. If you can face it I'd go back to the council or have a chat to you public liability insurers to see what they want you to do.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 05 1:32 pm Post subject:

Bernie66 wrote:

On the Wirral way which is 15 odd miles of old railway line turned into walkway they have fenced off most of the path so handle bars would have to be turned to get bikes through the "open area". The fence is a single bar high enough for wheelchairs and pushchairs to be pushed under but low enough to mean bike riders cannot duck to avoid them. The bar is painted white to avoid accidental collisions.

We use a sort of A frame tubular steel coinstruction at some of our sites. They allow kiddy bikes through.

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