In time for Disabled Access Day on Saturday 16 March, the Lake District National Park Authority writes, Lake District National Park volunteer and wheelchair user Annie Wallen this week visited a new path in Bampton to road test the work.

National Disabled Access Day, encourages people with mobility and access issues to try somewhere new, so it’s the ideal opportunity for Annie and her husband to trial the new stretch of public footpath at Bampton.

A new 200m stretch of path linking the Bampton Village Hall and a riverside path near the bridge over Haweswater Beck has recently been completed by volunteers and National Park rangers. Improvement work included surfacing, new gates and existing steps being replaced with an accessible ramp as well as new fencing and hedge laying.

Annie Wallen said: “I’m a huge supporter of the National Park’s Miles without Stiles routes, and would urge anyone with access issues such as wheelchairs or prams, or those who prefer a low level walk to give one of them a go this weekend as part of Disabled Access Day. There are over 40 choose from in all areas of the Park, so there is something to suit everyone.

“It’s really heartening that even in smaller projects – like the Bampton path – Lake District rangers are working to make them as accessible as possible. This new path makes the route much more manageable, is safer and gives a better view of the surrounding scenery. Well done to all involved with the project.”

The project was funded by grants from the Lake District National Park, Friends of the Lake District Landscape Grant Fund as well as donations from Bampton Parish Council and the Bampton Trust.

Read more about our landscape grant scheme here.

Learn more about the Lake District’s Miles Without Stiles routes.

More information on Disabled Access Day here.