Disabled access to be added at popular Fewston Reservoir

A £100,000 plan to open up some of Yorkshire's most scenic reservoirs to disabled visitors will see improvements made to footpaths around Yorkshire Water's popular Fewston Reservoir near Harrogate over the next six months.
Fewston Reservoir in the Washburn Valley near Harrogate.   Pic: Gerard Binks.Fewston Reservoir in the Washburn Valley near Harrogate.   Pic: Gerard Binks.
Fewston Reservoir in the Washburn Valley near Harrogate. Pic: Gerard Binks.

The water firm’s research shows that most of the two million visitors to its 70,000 acres of land each year are white, middle class and aged 35 or over, and bosses want to expand the appeal.

As the second largest landowner in the county, Yorkshire Water has reservoirs, ancient woodland and moorland in its estate - locations which have grown in popularity since they were first opened up to the public in 1989.

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Geoff Lomas, recreation manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We have 115 scenic reservoirs dotted around the region and these are all popular with dog walkers, picnic-goers, runners, anglers and cyclists, but we now want to make some of them more inviting to disabled people as a go to destination.

“This may mean improving paths around reservoirs by making them flatter, wider and addressing any surface issues so wheelchair users accessibility needs are met.”

To encourage more disabled visitors, Yorkshire Water has teamed up with not-for-profit group, Experience Community, which helps disabled people access the countryside.

Craig Grimes, the organisation’s managing director, said: “Gaining access to the countryside for disabled people has been an uphill battle, but co-operation from landowners such as Yorkshire Water really makes a difference.”