Suffolk Rights Of Way Limited are campaigning for access for all, particularly the disabled and wheelchair bound. We are raising awareness of the lost Rights Of Way in Ipswich, Suffolk such as Braziers Wood, Bridge Wood and Pipers Vale which a handfull of newcomers have re-named Orwell Country Park. It is not a park but a woodland being fenced and gated by the sandals and beard brigade who have read a few books and become overnight experts on Ipswich.

This 'kissing gate' pictured below in Braziers Wood Road, Ipswich and it does not comply with the DDA, (The Disability Discrimination Act) and wheelchair users cannot access it. This gate and many like it, stop people with twin buggies and even hikers with large back packs. The inset notice says it is “Open Access Land”.

This is what the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC) was designed to remedy. IBC seems to have an attraction to gates and fences in what was open counrtryside. Before the IBC vandals decided to change traditional access arrangements, generations of local people enjoyed these areas. They are now finding themselves overwhelmed by newcomers with strange ideas about what the countryside is and how to enjoy it. Dogs and 4x4's rule now where Joe Wiggins horse was once preferred.

How can disabled people access the land when ROW (Rights Of Way) are obstructed
like this? I will consult my Ramblers Association Blue Book for an answer to this.
Apparently this and similar gates are to stop motorcyclist getting in. However,
they stand their bikes on the rear wheel and juggle them through. Unfortunately,
this is not possible for a wheelchair user trying to reach Orwell Country Park
and Bridge Wood. These Foot Paths are over run with vehicles travelling to
Priory Park, Orwell Meadows and Hallotree Scout Camp.A young girl was seriously
injured by a car when trying to use the Foot Path that runs from Nacton Road to
the River Orwell foreshore.

Above is Alliance/Boots Pharmacy in Queens Way Ipswich. This lady has kindly allowed me to take a picture of her hopeless attempt to get over the front door step. This is a large company that has been told many times it is not complying with the DDA. It has now mailed to say this situation is being addressed shortly. Other smaller businesses have complied and it is unfair competition when a giant company takes liberties like this.

Suffolk Rights of Way is a Company Limited by Guarantee. It is a Charitable Organisation and we have no shareholders or paid employees.

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