Making the High Weald a more welcoming and accessible place for all to enjoy

Protected landscapes like the High Weald National Landscape make an important contribution to people’s enjoyment of the countryside, and their health and wellbeing.

Removing Barriers to Access provides funding for capital projects that make the High Weald countryside more accessible to more people of all ages and abilities, and from all backgrounds.

The aim is to remove physical and other barriers that prevent or discourage people from enjoying the area, whether residents or visitors.

We welcome proposals that clearly explain who currently experience difficulty accessing a place in the High Weald and how capital investment will make it more accessible to them.

What the Fund can support

The Fund is primarily for capital projects – investment in physical infrastructure, facilities or equipment that will make a lasting improvement to access.

Example projects could include:

• Purchasing adapted equipment, such as all-terrain wheelchairs, inclusive cycles or e-trikes
• Providing accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities
• Purchase of specially adapted tools for volunteers
• Setting up or improving transport mechanisms and infrastucture, for example a minibus to transport conservation volunteers
• Infrastructure improvements to allow more inclusive activities, for example accessible fishing platforms, bird hides, boat launches or viewing areas
• Creating more accessible outdoor learning spaces and educational facilities
• Creation of sensory-friendly spaces
• Providing accessible seating and resting places
• Improving signage and wayfinding where these help overcome an access barrier
• Creating digital resources that allow virtual access for people who cannot physically access the area
• Installation of all-weather, permeable surfacing on key paths, for example around a recreation ground
• Boardwalks through wet or sensitive areas to prevent erosion and improve usability
• Clearing vegetation to allow wider or drier paths
• Replacement of stiles with accessible gates or gap features e.g. easy-access kissing gates
• Regrading or widening of paths to meet accessibility standards
• Installation of step-free crossings and ramps at key transition points
• Development of small-scale, sensitively designed accessible car parks at gateway locations

A note on public rights of way

Improvements to public rights of way may be eligible for support where the work makes the route more accessible to a wider range of people. However, highway authorities and landowners have existing statutory responsibilities for public rights of way and we can only consider projects that lead to improvements that are over and above these responsibilities. For example, funding could potentially improve a muddy, uneven or difficult path surface that is a barrier for people with wheelchair or mobility-scooter or families with pushchairs.

Projects involving public rights of way will need the involvement and support of both the landowner and county council rights of way teams.

Interested in applying?

Please submit an expression of interest via our enquiry form. We can advise whether a proposal is likely to fit the aims of the Fund and discuss the likely level of funding available.

If we think your project is suitable we will help you consider its development and delivery and assist with the simple application process.

The grant award decision is usually made within three weeks.