PEAK DISTRICT ACCESSIBILITY CHAMPION RECEIVES ACCOLADE IN MEMORY OF NATIONAL PARKS COLLEAGUE
- peakadvertiser
- May 27
- 2 min read
A Peak District National Park Authority officer has received an award for dedication to improving people’s accessible enjoyment of the region in the inaugural presentation of a new accolade for excellence in England’s National Parks.
Sue Smith, Access & Rights of Way officer has spent much of her career on projects to improve physical accessibility across the Peak District, leading to the UK’s first National Park becoming one of the most user-friendly outdoor locations in the country.
The new national award has been named in honour of Paul Hamblin, former Executive Director of National Parks England who tragically passed away in 2023 following a long battle with illness.
Paul’s wife and family joined UK National Park chief executives and chairs at a recent conference held in the Peak District to present the award, and reflect on Paul’s own invaluable contribution to national park policy, advocacy and wider political understanding of environmental issues in Westminster.
Sue Smith, receiving the award has been at the forefront of campaigns such as ‘Miles without Stiles’ which now offers over two-dozen mapped routes in the Peak District alone for wheelers, families and those who are less able or in health recovery, along with countless access improvements to other trails. More recently, the Peak District National Park Authority has opened two Changing Places facilities on its accessible trails – life-changing washrooms for those with complex and additional needs – and provided Tramper vehicles at several locations. Visitors have also been supported through a dedicated focus on ‘Accessible Castleton’, providing maps and information to help those with additional needs navigate and enjoy the popular Hope Valley village.
As part of Defra’s Access for All funding, Sue has been instrumental in continuing to adapt, improve and innovate for visitors to the Peak District and beyond, often in partnership with other national parks.
