A typical British countryside walk may conjure up images of vast green fields, heather-topped moorlands, and naturally, countless stiles providing access throughout the right-of-way network. However, while stiles connect trails and public pathways, they’re a physical barrier to accessible green spaces for all.
Over the last twenty years, national parks across England have been removing stiles as a part of a programme of measures to create more easy-to-navigate walking routes. Research by us and others shows how opening up natural spaces in such ways can particularly profit young and disabled people. If such schemes were adopted more widely, the advantages could possibly be spread even further.
Disabled people access natural and rural green spaces, including national parks, much less regularly than non-disabled people. And the physical barriers that stiles and other facets of the landscape present usually are not the one issue. Rural green spaces can simply feel daunting for some people, often requiring skilful navigation, specialist equipment and confidence.
These things can even act as barriers for young peoplewho reportedly spend less time outside now than ever before. Many children and young people within the UK, particularly those with special educational needs or disabilitiesdon’t commonly access natural, wilder green spaces for play and recreation, despite the broad-ranging advantages doing so can offer.
As a result, schools are sometimes tasked with introducing young people to those spaces through outdoor and adventure education. This may be useful, however the short-term nature of those programmes results in short-term gainssimilar to improved social skills.
That said, our latest independent evaluation reports of Nottinghamshire YMCA’s access to nature programme with marginalised and vulnerable young people show it could actually improve confidence, increase connection to nature and improve environmental awareness. It can even enhance physical, social and mental health.
While outdoor and adventure education programmes offer a glimpse into available opportunities similar to climbing or kayaking, regular involvement in these activities is difficult for a lot of families.
More regular access to green spaces for young people can profit them over the long term by enabling more creative play, opportunity to experience risk and direct hands-on interaction with nature.
Removing barriers
Improving accessibility could possibly be one step towards young people spending more time outside in natural landscapes, like those present in the UK’s 15 national parks. Launched by the Lake District National Park nearly twenty years ago, the Miles Without Stiles initiative improves the accessibility of many public footpaths and trails.
Adopted now by National Parks Englandthis scheme involves the removal of stiles, resurfacing of pathways, and a transparent grading system which rates routes depending on their gradient and surface conditions. Improving accessibility also involves more consistent signposting and waymarking, decent public transport links and carpark provision, plus availability of toilets, cafés and other facilities.
The Lake District National Park now boasts 51 Miles Without Stiles routes, the Peak District National Park has 20 and South Downs National Park has seven.
Miles Without Stiles is endorsed by charities just like the Disabled Ramblers who advocate for a more accessible countryside. And 21% of tourists to the Lake District National Park select routes due to their accessibility, in keeping with a 2019 Lake District National Park Authority report.
Many of those routes offer a gentler introduction to wild spaces, which can make young people feel more confident in accessing these places easily, either independently or with relations. No specialist equipment is required beyond a sturdy pair of shoes, wheelchair or buggy, and more people can go at their very own pace.
Connecting with nature
When we interviewed a bunch of secondary school teachers for our research in 2020, it was clear that inclusive physical education provision involves differentiating lessons for mixed abilities and offering activities that could possibly be modified accordingly. That pertains to nature access too, and is particularly relevant for young individuals with special educational needs and disabilities who experience a variety of barriers to regular physical activity.
In the case of Miles Without Stiles, well-surfaced and clearly signposted routes are clearly graded as suitable for all, for a lot of or for some, depending on their gradient.
We consider that schools, sport, and other physical activity providers could learn much from Miles Without Stiles about accessibility. Given the notable advantages of physical activity and of spending time outdoors, if National Parks England were to increase the Miles Without Stiles programme across the country, it would offer more accessible options for more people.
Promoting Miles Without Stiles to local authorities and schools could increase awareness of the initiative, and encourage young people and their families to spend more time being lively outdoors. Beyond the countryside, local authorities could even use the Miles Without Stiles model to make urban green spaces more accessible, promoting more lively lifestyles for all.
Don’t have time to examine climate change as much as you’d like?
Get a weekly roundup in your inbox as an alternative. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a brief email that goes slightly deeper into only one climate issue. Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed up to now.