New All-Terrain Mobility Vehicles for Dalby Forest

The North York Moors National Park is now more accessible than ever following the introduction of new all-terrain mobility vehicles at Dalby Forest Visitors Centre, along with Forest Holidays at Cropton

These locations join Sutton Bank National Park Centre and Ravenscar Visitor Centre as landscapes with stunning and varied scenery that can now be enjoyed by all.

Over the last few years, work to open-up the North York Moors to more people with disabilities or mobility impairments has included removing hundreds of stiles and introducing easy-to-use surfaces along many rights of way. As part of the North York Moors Mobility scheme, the National Park Authority has also been working with Lake District Mobility to introduce Trampers. These mobility vehicles are specifically designed for exploring the great outdoors - and there are now four locations in the National Park where Trampers are available for use by visitors.

The North York Moors National Park Authority has purchased two new Trampers from funds arising from Anglo American’s ‘section 106’ commitments to the National Park. These will be available to the public at Dalby Forest Visitors Centre and Forest Holidays Cropton. The funds have also been used to enable a brand-new Tramper trail between Sutton Bank National Park Centre and the Kilburn White Horse, taking in one of the most stunning views the region has to offer.

Mike Hawtin, Head of Nature Recovery Projects at the North York Moors National Park, said:

“The introduction of the North York Moors Mobility scheme in the National Park has allowed us to identify and work with like-minded partners and sites to improve accessibility for those with limited mobility. In expanding the scheme, we are enabling visitors or residents to access experiences such as the drama of a sweeping coastal vista, taking in the finest view in England or the peace and tranquillity of a trek through the forest. Trampers allow couples, families and friendship groups to continue to enjoy the outdoors together through changing personal circumstances, ensuring that access to the beauty of the National Park is available to the widest possible range of people.”

Trella Javanainen, Charity Operations Officer at Lake District Mobility, said:

“We are excited to be working with Forestry England, Forest Holidays and North York Moors National Park to offer Trampers to visitors at these wonderful locations. Trampers enable our members to enjoy time outdoors with their loved ones in amazing places that were previously out of reach to them. What our members ask for most is for more places to be made accessible by a Tramper. This partnership with Forestry England and Forest Holidays gives them just that - more choice and more opportunities to go out, explore and enjoy!”

Forestry England, who own and care for Dalby Forest, have also purchased a second Tramper for the Visitor Centre, meaning there are two available to hire from this site.

Jemma Crusher, Visitor Experience Manager at Dalby Forest said:

“The Forestry England team at Dalby are delighted to be working with the National Park in adding to the availability of Trampers in the region.  Ensuring our forest is accessible to all is key and from 27 September, those who wish to explore outdoor areas, which would otherwise be inaccessible to traditional mobility scooters, will be able to hire a Tramper based at our Visitors Centre. Tramper routes are being designed to allow users to explore as much of the Forest as possible and enable more of our visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Forest with their friends and family.”

Julia Winterburn, General Manager of Forest Holidays Cropton added:

“Guests choose to stay with us to surround themselves with nature and we’re thrilled to be able to offer them this incredible new facility during their stay. The new Trampers will allow more visitors to spend time outdoors, exploring the forest and discovering an abundance of wildlife as they go.”

Both Dalby Forest and Sutton Bank National Park Centre are part of Visit England’s North York Moors accessibility project, which aims to inspire people with additional accessibility requirements to take short breaks in the North York Moors and use businesses that have carefully considered the needs and enjoyment of these groups.

Those wanting to use a Tramper should first visit www.lakedistrictmobility.org to become a member and to book the Tramper. Membership starts from as little as £2.50 for a two-week taster, with annual membership costing only £10. The membership gives the visitor access to a growing network of Trampers across the North York Moors and the Lake District, as well as close to 50 locations in the Southwest England. First-time Tramper visitors will receive training upon their arrival and there is no additional fee at any of the North York Moors sites.