Improving Accessibility on the North Downs Way National Trail in Wye
8th May 2025
The Putting Down Routes project, a collaboration between the Kent Downs National Landscape and the North Downs Way National Trail, is transforming the National Trail into a safer, more inclusive and accessible route where everyone is welcome. We’re actively improving sections of the trail to make them as accessible as possible for a wide range of people.
As part of this work, we restored the bridleway through The Junipers — a steep woodland section of the North Downs Way National Trail in Wye, Kent. The bridleway had become rutted, damaged and overgrown, with exposed tree roots making it difficult to navigate for anyone other than the most physically able.
Given the North Downs Way National Trail’s importance as a well-used route of both regional and national significance, we repaired the bridleway, which involved restoring the width and laying a new, flexible, porous surface, enabling safer and increased accessibility to a greater range of users
The project was led by Kent County Council’s Public Rights of Way team and the work was carried out in consultation with our partner Wild With Wheels, an organisation led by Gini Mitchell that champions countryside access for people with limited mobility.
Gini explains: ‘This path is finally accessible to cycles, buggies, and suitable all-terrain wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as long as the user is confident and experienced with similar terrain. The surface is flat, smooth and grippy, so the wheels climb with ease without any loss of traction or risk of slipping on loose scree.’
An innovative recycled material was used, nu-flex, which is porous. Water flows through the material meaning no water or frost builds up. It’s extra grippy compared to other materials, ideal for this particular location with its steep incline, and better for the environment also.
Paul Vaughan, Operations Director at nu-phalt, who worked with the Public Rights of Way team on the project, says: ‘nu-flex is a surfacing material with a difference. It is dynamically different from traditional bound materials, due to its flexibility, high tensile strength and durable nature.’
Louise Fox, Public Rights of Way Officer, Kent County Council, says: ‘The works we have undertaken will offer improved accessibility to the outdoors to residents and visitors alike, connecting people to key landscape sights across the Wye Downs.’
As a contribution to the Putting Down Routes Project, Nuphalt Contracting Ltd resurfaced the footpath linking Marriage Lane with the Wye Memorial Crown, creating step free access to this viewpoint. This work is part of a phased approach to increase access to The Wye Memorial Crown and a longer-term focus on building accessibility within Wye, as a key access point to the North Downs Way National Trail and the Kent Downs National Landscape.
Putting Down Routes is funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Additional funding was provided by Kent County Council, who delivered the works with nu-phalt Contracting Ltd on our behalf.
Popular articles
The Best Viewpoints in the Kent Downs
Searching for incredible views? Look no further! We've rounded up the best…
Top 5 bluebell walks in the Kent Downs
If you're looking for inspiration on the best places for some bluebell…
Lambing season in the Kent Downs
Discover the importance of lambing season in the Kent Downs and find…