It has come to my attention there are Facebook posts referring to Cannock Chase Special
Area of Conservation Partnership (SAC) changes to Cannock Chase and their impact on the
disabled community. I have yet to read or hear from a disabled person giving their opinion. In
fact, I see lie after lie and disabled people are being used to propagate these falsehoods; be it
path closures, carpark losses and restricted access for the disabled. Disabled people have a
voice and an opinion, and we do not need social media hooligans speaking for us! As you will
read, the SAC is improving access for disabled people as well as making the Chase disabled
friendly.
Cannock Chase AONB (Area of Outstanding Beauty) at 26 square miles is the smallest
mainland AONB in England. The Chase attracts 2.5 million visitors a year; expected to
increase to 3 million by 2026. Currently there are 123 parking locations and the SAC plan to
close 51, with 33 of these locations being pull-in bays of 4 cars or less, which are not suitable
as disabled parking. The SAC plan to create another 100 spaces at the Marquis Drive Visitor
Centre. ALL council run car parks adopt the blue badge scheme, making parking free for
holders.
Marquis Drive visitor centre is a focal point for disabled ramblers. Off-road electric scooters
are available to hire at a small charge – making the trails leading from the visitor centre
accessible for everyone. The £7.8 million 15-year plan by the SAC partnership will be funded
via a community infrastructure levy, which is a charge on housing developers, not a tax on
people. Will see significant work maintaining and improving the TocH trail giving access to
everyone. Signposts to aid people with directions as well as information boards educating
ramblers will be erected on the trail.
In 2019 SAC gave a talk about Cannock Chase and they said “let it be under no doubt that
Cannock Chase is dying”. We all must adapt to the changes needed to protect our natural
environment – even disabled people. The proposals of the SAC go above and beyond taking
the disabled community into consideration. Free parking for blue badge holders will still exist
but with more spaces being available at the visitor centre. Having the visitor centre as a focal
point will draw people there creating less destruction on the more sensitive parts of the
Chase.
Steve Jones
Green Party Disability Group Member.