A NEW route suitable for people who use mobility scooters and wheelchairs has been opened in the North York Moors National Park.

Much of the 5.3 mile pathway takes in the scenery of the Cleveland Way National Trail, and starts at the popular Sutton Bank National Park Centre, near Thirsk.

Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails officer for the Cleveland Way, said: “This is a great day walkway which will suit some people who use a wheelchair, Mountain Trike or a mobility scooter.

“There is a lot of variety with the Cleveland Way escarpment and the woods at Hambleton Plantation to enjoy. It is a perfect way to enable people to have easier access to the beautiful North York Moors.”

The National Park Authority is keen to provide access to visitors of all abilities and works closely with a Disabled Access Group to see what can be done on pathways to ensure this is possible.

Ian Lawson from the Disabled Access Group for the North York Moors National Park said: “It’s wonderful to see this new circular walk open up at Sutton Bank providing spectacular views across the Vale of Mowbray.

“The stile and step free walk provides greater access for people with impaired mobility, enabling them to enjoy the special qualities of the National Park.”

There are accessible toilets and refreshment facilities at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre.

Craig Grimes, director of Experience Community, has been working with the National Park to video the new walkway.

He added: “It’s great that parts of the National Trails are becoming more suitable for disabled people and that organisations such as the North York Moors National Park Authority are making a concerted effort to identify routes that are possible for wheelchair and scooter users to undertake.

“This route provides a fantastic opportunity for people to see great views from Sutton Bank with relative ease.

“Once you leave the Cleveland Way the route becomes more challenging, which is great for more adventurous disabled people. Like any other group of people, disabled people also need a variety of routes with different difficulty levels as different people want different things.”

The leaflet can be picked up at the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre or downloaded from http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cleveland-way/leaflets.

View the video: http://www.experiencecommunity.co.uk/destination-detail/cleveland-way-circular/.