Approach to access information
Access to walking is a key focus of One Mile Walks. Our walks include information about access and facilities so that people can find walks they will enjoy based on their wants and needs.
Summary access information
All verified One Mile Walks will contain summary access information which supports the Access Chain model developed by the Sensory Trust which includes: deciding to go somewhere, the journey, the experience, and returning home.
One Mile Walks provide an overview of the route and highlight pinch points and the aspects of the route most likely to affect access, such as the steepest gradient, narrowest path, gap or gate, stiles and terrain. Walks also include a Miles Without Stiles grading, information about parking, public transport, toilets, cost and any facilities such as cafes, pubs and takeaways as well as any points of interest. Other factors such as the noise levels, business of routes and availability of assistance are also considered.
See routes with summary access information
Detailed access information
Some routes also include detailed access information which provides detailed information about the accessibility of individual features including paths, gates, stiles, steps, seats, ramps, boardwalks, bridges, obstacles, hazards, and toilets. For each of these features one or more photos are provided and detailed measurements taken – for example, information about a gate will include a picture of the gate, the force required to open that gate, whether contrasting colours are used, the height of the latch and information about the walking surface through the gate.
List View: The detailed access information can be presented as a list, which includes an assessment of whether the features are wheelchair or pushchair accessible. Clicking on the link will show detailed information about that feature.
Photo view: Detailed access information can be viewed as a photo grid, quickly and visibly showing the features on the walk. Clicking on a photo will show detailed information about that feature.
See routes with detailed access information
Access data and advocacy
Collating detailed access information will provide a database of the accessibility paths and features which can be searched or interrogated. Collecting detailed access information across an area will provide a huge amount of detail about access allowing the identification of changes which could be made to make the outdoors accessible to more people. The detailed access information will provide evidence for funding and for advocating for land-owners and managers to make access improvements.
Innovation
One Mile Walks works in collaboration with other organisations and people with lived experience to test new approaches for collecting and presenting access information. Feedback is valuable in helping refine this approach, so please do get in touch.
When considering the criteria outlined in the ‘Outdoor Accessibility Guidance’ and ‘By All Reasonable Means’ the range of access considerations is significant and the potential data set is huge – especially when measuring each each feature and assessing transport options and facilities. Therefore one challenge for innovation is: how to present walks so that they are engaging to potential walkers, and make available a specific piece of data to those who may require it, without overwhelming people with information.
One Mile Walks are exploring print, online and rich media tactics to present this information. Here is an example of a clickable map – the icons link to either pictures or the details of a feature online.
