Resting Places

From GPG

Access to the countryside has important benefits for everyone, but not all users are able to walk for long distances without a break. Providing places where people can rest increases the accessibility of any route, and can increase the enjoyment of everyone using it. Consultation on what users want to see improved on paths often generates the request for more seats and places to rest.

For maximum accessibility frequent resting places should be provided, particularly in areas close to car parks and on specific paths and trails that are accessible to disabled people.

The seats should, ideally, be made of a material that does not retain heat or cold, such as timber. The seat should be between 450mm and 500mm from the ground and arm rests should be provided as they give assistance to people who have difficulty rising from a seated position. A space of 600mm should be left between the path and the bench to ensure that no obstructions occur.

The rest area should also include a space adjacent to the bench for wheelchair users. This should be a minimum of 900mm wide.

In addition to benches, perches can be used more frequently. Perches are rails at a height of between 500mm and 750mm that can be half leant on and half sat on. They consist of two substantial uprights with a crossbar. These are often preferred by older people who may have problems rising from a seated position.

(For more information see the code of practice on access and mobility.)

It is important that any information you publish about your paths, especially if it is aimed at people with mobility difficulties, includes information on location of resting places.

On other routes resting places can be less formal - they can be benches, tree stumps, or simply informal 'perches' people can lean against to rest. They can be low key inconspicuous designs to fit into the environment, or well designed pieces of art to generate interest and comment - whatever they are made of they will be used!

A number of authorities are moving away from timber and using recycled materials although these may look out of place in a very rural setting.

(an example can be seen on the Glasdon UK website)

Where funding is not limited countryside furniture design can be more innovative. There are a number of sculptors making countryside furniture, for examples follow the links below :

• Warwickshire County Council website
• Organic oak seats - Robin Wood
• Timberwolves countryside furniture

Sustrans are well known for using art on their cycleways - examples can be seen on their website.