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12 years ago•4 Replies

Why is it that National Trust properties have gravel/shingle paths which make it very hard, if not impossible, for wheelchairs to be used? Why not cement, coloured with a little red oxide which produces a soft brick tone, which would blend with old brick walls?

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jand

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pollyjj12 years ago

I agree with you completely, last year we were getting a Breathe Easy outing together and though the National Trust would be a good idea until I had a look on the web and found it was impossible to go as many of our members have mobility problems.

polly

Gordon5712 years ago

I can remember asking about this a long time ago when visiting a castle with someone in a wheelchair. They had been pushed up a quite long hill to get there from the car park, only to be told at the gate that access was limited to the original cobbled courtyard and external facilities like the shop at the bottom of the access road, they would not be able to go round the castle itself as the pathways were gravel or slate in areas and there were steps, I should clarify that these were all original steps and not put there in recent times.

It was explained that it was not in keeping with the surrounding area to use modern materials or install ramps, they wanted to keep the walkways as natural as possible. I can see the point, as well as appreciating the cost involved in getting concrete up to that particular site.

This was before the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, since replaced with the Equality Act of 2010, came into force. Looking at Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disab... - there is a specific line I'll quote: An example would be a medieval castle open for public tours that didn't have modifications made for wheelchairs. To do so would destroy the castle's historical aspects such as the restrictive nature of the original circular staircases.

12 years ago

Why can,t a wooden plant form be put down as a gangway, it would protect the cobbles as well, I can understand the risks involved for the staircase, but the rest?

Gordon57 in reply to 12 years ago

It's down to the trust, they like to preserve the scene as true to the original as they can, so if it's cobbled they leave it cobbled. By putting in slopes and different surfaces they could be accused by the purists of destroying the ancient settings?

If anyone has suggestions I'm sure they could write to the National Trust and put them forward.

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