The Disabled Ramblers officially opened the first of a series of new ‘miles without stiles’ routes in the South Downs National Park late last month.

It was made possible by a donation of £60,000 from Gatwick Airport.

The South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) ‘Miles without Stiles’ routes allow people to explore iconic scenery without worrying about obstacles such as steps, stiles or steep gradients.

In addition to being accessible for wheelchair users, the routes are also suitable for families with pushchairs, the elderly and visually impaired people.

The first route to be modified was proposed by the Disabled Ramblers and is a six-mile circular route taking in Jack and Jill Windmills and Ditchling Beacon.

Gatwick’s sponsorship extends across the next three years and is helping to fund work to create new routes, including: the removal of stiles, replacing unsuitable gates, resurfacing of rough tracks and ensuring trail information is accessible for all.

Gatwick Airport community manager Melanie Wrightson said: “Accessibility is a key focus for the airport and ‘Miles Without Stiles’ forms part of Gatwick’s wider community engagement programme to ensure the same opportunities are available for all.”

Allison Thorpe, in charge of access and recreation at the SDNPA, said: “As one of England’s most accessible National Parks the South Downs really is here for everyone and the new routes will appeal in particular to people using off-road mobility scooters and families with buggies or pushchairs.

“Thank you to Gatwick Airport for helping us enable even more people to experience the physical and mental benefits of getting closer to nature.”

Val Rawlings, regional representative for the Disabled Ramblers is “looking forward to bringing a whole group of Disabled Ramblers here on one of our rambles into the South Downs National Park next year.”