Access Fund Annual Report 2019
Introduction
The Access Fund was launched in September 2014 as part of the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of open access in the Peak District. The access fund helps to build on the legacy of access in the National Park with those who care for this special place for the inspiration and enjoyment of all.
The Access Fund is ring-fenced for access improvements throughout the National Park. This includes new and replacement access points, new and improved paths and access, signage and promotion of access.
Contributions
Groups
Derbyshire Dales Ramblers £400
Derbyshire Dales Ramblers repeated their donation to the Access Fund to support access improvements in the National Park.
Martin Bennett
“There are four Groups in the Derbyshire Area of the Ramblers, with over 1300 members. The Ramblers promotes walking, both individually and with organised walks. Ramblers' Board of Trustees, central office and its many volunteers actively engage in protecting the country's unique Rights of Way network of paths and other routes and access to open spaces along with enhancing the beauty of the countryside.”
Businesses
Yorkshire Water £2176.60
Yorkshire Water’s sponsorship in 2017 took forward accessibility training and promotion of Miles without Stiles - the National Park brand of accessible routes. Following the launch of the first 20 routes, they then funded a handbook of the routes.
Events
Peak Skyline £330
A donation of £2 per runner for races run in 2018 and 2019 was split between the Access Fund and Mend our Mountains appeal, making it the fourth year running for the support given by the event and competitors.
Handbook Sales
Ashbourne Town Council £178.50
Every penny from every sale of the Miles without Stiles handbook goes back into the Access Fund to maintain and create new Miles without Stiles. Ashbourne Town Council supported these easy access routes by both purchasing the handbooks and having them available for sale at their Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre.
Individuals
Total £165
Donations were received from the following individuals wishing to support access improvements within the Peak District National Park.
- Mike Simpson
- Phillipa Slatter
- John Thompson
- Richard Read
- Scott Robertson
A gift donation was made for Jeffrey and Ros Place.
One person wished to remain anonymous but shared with us her memories of the National Park and why she made the donation:
“I have lived in the Peak National Park for almost all of my adult life, my two children grew up here and I worked in and around it. The Peak District has been such an amazing place to live and explore as it offers so much variety. Recently I have come to know and appreciate it even more partly because of following sections of the Boundary Walk and because I decided to visit as many triangulation points as possible. Both these took me to places I had not previously found, for instance a beautiful wild flower meadow near Monyash.
I have particularly felt so privileged to live here during this year when so many have been stuck in cities. Thank you and your colleagues for keeping access to this wonderful area possible for so many.”
Improvements
Gates & Stiles
Five Wells £1488.74
With thanks to the landowner, the Area Ranger, Countryside and Projects Maintenance Team, and with the support of donations to the Access Fund, we were able to keep this permissive path and improve access to the chambered cairn - reputed to be the highest Megalithic Tomb in Great Britain.
Offerton Moor £372.98
Access point repairs helped improve access to the moor and its views across the Hope Valley.
Cressbrook Dale £340.36
This new roadside access point leads along the dale top to join in with Litton Dale via the access gates installed in 2017 with Access Fund donations.
Path Improvements
Conksbury Miles without Stiles £277.43
The Countryside Maintenance and Projects Team carried out works to the disabled parking space and path leading from it, for easier access on this Miles without Stiles route.
Curbar Gap Miles without Stiles £429.16
Vegetation clearance at the car park at Curbar Gap by our in-house team has improved the access along this Miles without Stiles route to the viewpoint on Baslow Edge.
Handbook
Design and Printing £3557.60
Funded by Yorkshire Water, we produced 1500 copies of the handbook of the Peak District National Park’s first 20 Miles without Stiles routes. All routes are freely available on our website at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/mws, but everyone who buys the handbook, priced at £5.95, is supporting the continuing work to maintain and improve access and accessibility throughout the National Park.
Summary
This is the fifth year of the Access Fund following its introduction in September 2014 to improve access in the Peak District National Park.
This annual report provides details of your support for access and the improvements that are taking place.
More access improvements are being progressed. Updates will be provided to the Local Access Forum which provides support and guidance for this work.
Thank you for helping us to do more for more.
Contributions January to December 2019
- Groups - £400.00
- Businesses - £2176.60
- Events - £330.00
- Handbook Sales - £178.50
- Individuals - £165.00
- TOTAL £3250.10
Expenditure January to December 2019
- Gates and Stiles - £2202.08
- Path Improvements - £706.59
- Handbook - £3557.60
- TOTAL £6466.27