Percival Push Project, Sutton Bank

MANY of us who wish to accompany family and friends on rambles but who also have some kind of mobility problem to accommodate, will be glad to hear of Percival.

I first heard of Percival in connection with the Percival Push project which began in 1997 and exists to "improve access for all within the North York Moors National Park". It is very much a joint venture between the National Park and Whitby Disability Action Group (DAG) and aims, initially, to bring nine routes up to wheelchair standard and to remove barriers from 300km of existing rights of way.

From Kettleness in the north to Forge Valley in the south, work has already started to create the routes in a variety of different landscapes. Work will involve surfacing 25 per cent of all bridleways and eight per cent of footpaths; removing difficult gates and stiles and making them clearer for people with visual impairments. Eventually, exploration of the moors, dales, woodland and coast of this outstanding landscape will be possible for a greater diversity of people.

The first trail opened up in 1999 at Crow Wood, Danby. Others followed. One fine August morning I visited Sutton Bank Visitor Centre with my ten-year-old daughter to try one out. We met Trevor King, Disabled Access Project Officer for the National Park, and Jan King, chair of the Percival Push Advisory Committee, who had kindly offered to be our expert guides for the day.

Beginning at the visitor centre, we met for a drink and a chat at the perfectly accessible caf. Here we discussed the route that would take us from the visitor centre past the gliding club and the White Horse Of Kilburn to where the path meets Low Town Bank Road at the Gliding Club car park, a distance of one-and-a-half miles. Trevor assured me that no gradient is greater than 1:14 and that the paths are one-and-a-half metres wide to enable a companion to comfortably walk alongside the person using a wheelchair.

Visitors to the centre - which is accessible throughout - can borrow a RADAR key from the information desk or buy one for £3 which can then be taken away and used at the many RADAR toilets around the country. Also, available is the newly-published Guide for Disabled Visitors which includes details of the Percival Push routes and, also, access information for many of the attractions in the park. Ultimately, the aim is that you can leave the centre armed with all the information needed for a full day out in the area, free of the worry of potential niggles regarding access.

We were a varied group. Trevor and my daughter were on foot, Jan was in her battery-operated chair and I was in my conventional wheelchair, which my daughter heroically managed to push most of the way.

Setting off from the visitor centre, we crossed the carpark on tarmac towards the A170. Crossing the road takes some care as it carries a lot of holiday traffic, but we crossed comfortably after a short wait and didn't feel too troubled by it. It is hoped to get traffic lights installed here which would help, but funding is not yet available.

The surface of the trail on the other side of the road changed to what Trevor described as country paving. This was a smooth rolled limestone mix that hardens when wet so that the surface is pretty well suitable for use in most conditions. We were moving very smoothly but, whenever one of us was in need of a breather, there seemed to be a bench inviting us to linger.

Jan and Trevor told me that they were aware that, for most people with disabilities, these routes need to accommodate the notion of a restful ramble rather than a workout and so seating areas are marked on the route cards that come with the guide mentioned earlier. Lingering here above what my OS map describes delightfully as Happy Valley, the rambler is treated to stunning views: we were, after all, 1,000 feet up.

One hour later, we had reached our destination after feasting on marvellous views and the bilberries that abound alongside the path this time of year. We couldn't resist the opportunity of a trip back to the centre on John Smith's vintage bus which operates a half-hourly shuttle service from the Gliding Club car park back to the centre.

John has lovingly restored his Leyland PSI to its original 1946 specification and it's a delight but it only operates in the school summer holidays on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays. My wheelchair went in the boot and John took time and care to help me onto the bus. Unfortunately for Jan, he could not accommodate her chair so she planned to return along the route just travelled. Reunited, we all reflected on a fine trip and one that I would definitely recommend. Just don't bank on there being any bilberries left.

Published: 17/09/2002