Site Access Plan
The Site Access Plan outlines how existing routes within the scheme area will be maintained and improved so they are more inclusive and carefully managed to protect both people and the natural environment. Access has been considered to ensure that any changes support nature recovery, respect local communities and enable people who already use the area to do so in a safe and responsible way.
Linking Levisham covers an area rich in wildlife, history and open moorland. With over 100km of Public Rights of Way, and 74% of the area designated as Open Access land, the site already attracts many visitors on foot, bicycle, or horseback.
Good access is essential because it:
- Supports nature recovery by encouraging people to use the most resilient routes and avoid sensitive habitats, helping to protect breeding birds and rare plants.
- Enables people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the landscape, including residents, local schools, visitors with disabilities, and community groups.
- Supports health and wellbeing by encouraging outdoor activity and connection to nature.
- Provides essential routes for land managers, farmers, rangers, emergency services and conservation work.
The plan has been developed with input from landowners, residents, volunteers and recreational groups through workshops, surveys and site visits. Residents told us that walking, wildlife watching and dog walking are their most common activities, and that access improvements should balance recreation with protecting nature.
The Site Access Plan will focus on delivering:
- Better and Safer Access: Audits carried out by volunteer rangers and professional consultants identified where paths need resurfacing, improved drainage or clearer signage. The plan proposes upgrades to more than 19km of routes, making them safer, more durable and easier to follow.
- More Accessible and Inclusive Routes: Linking Levisham aims to ensure everyone can enjoy the landscape, including visitors with mobility challenges, sensory needs or those using all terrain mobility scooters (Trampers). Planned improvements include: removing all stiles and replacing them with more accessible gates; creating or upgrading inclusive routes suitable for Trampers and 'Miles without Stiles'; enhancing signage, interpretation and sensory information to support people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND); producing virtual walks for people unable to visit in person.
- More Sustainable Travel Options: To help reduce car dependency and carbon emissions, the plan promotes greener ways to reach the scheme area. This includes working with: North Yorkshire Moors Railway on accessible journeys, information for passengers and new ticketing options; Coastliner bus services to provide visitor information, suggested walking routes and itineraries, and onboard interpretation; new or improved cycling routes into the scheme area and e-bike charging at Levisham Station.
- Protecting Wildlife, Habitat and Heritage: The Linking Levisham landscape is heavily designated and contains many important archaeological features. The plan ensures that all access improvements are designed to protect sensitive areas by: Encouraging people to stick to defined routes; providing information on responsible access and ground nesting bird sensitivities.
The Site Access Plan directly strengthens Linking Levisham’s long term aims by improving how people move through and understand this landscape. By upgrading key paths, improving signage and using durable materials selected for long term value, the plan helps create a high quality, low maintenance access network that supports sustainable visitor use and future investment.
The plan also helps celebrate and protect the area’s cultural heritage. Enhanced interpretation and clear, well-managed access around important archaeological features, will make the area’s history more visible and meaningful, while ensuring sensitive sites remain protected. These improvements also create opportunities for volunteers to develop practical skills through ongoing access surveys and heritage/habitat aware maintenance.
More inclusive access such as Tramper friendly routes, accessible station improvements and sensory stories means a wider range of people can experience the landscape in ways that meet their needs. Clearer interpretation and improved wayfinding also help visitors understand how to enjoy the area responsibly, supporting behaviours that protect wildlife and livestock.