Stapleford to host the UK’s first road experience training track for vision impaired people

Opened in April 2023 with funding from the £21.1 million Stapleford Towns Fund, the cycle training track has been a big hit with thousands of children and families who use the park all year round. One local resident, however, thought it could be even better for children and young people with vision impairments.

Rebecca Morley, a Habilitation Specialist at Guide Dogs, works with young people experiencing vision impairment. Her access assistant whose son uses the cycle track told her what a fantastic facility it was. Visiting together, they then imagined how this site had the potential to be a great resource for her students, helping provide learning opportunities for them improve their mobility and orientation skills.

She contacted the Towns Fund team at Broxtowe Borough Council with an idea for some changes that would make the track even more realistic, giving children a safe space to build their confidence before using busy streets.  

Her ideas were taken on board and put into action, and the track now features different types of tactile paving, dropped curbs and pedestrian lights with rotating cone tactile devices.

Rebecca said: "Many of the children I work with find it overwhelming and worrying to be next to roads. Having an outdoor space, where traffic can be heard and the elements can be felt, but in a safe environment is brilliant for teaching them in a controlled way to build their skills and confidence."

The new features will not only benefit vision impaired users but offer new opportunities for the wider community too. Rebecca hopes that local schools will use the upgraded track to teach road safety to all children and raise awareness of different types of pedestrians and their needs.

Julie Wilkinson, who came along to try out the upgraded track with her grandson Alfie, said: 

“Alfie is learning with the Guide Dogs about the different textures on the pavements and here you've got it all. It's just like a real road but it’s safe and secure without the risk of cars. I think this is an amazing project and they've done a great job. I wish there were more of them!”

Ian Jowett, Chair of the Stapleford Towns Fund, said: “We’re so very grateful to Rebecca for bringing these great ideas to us and we’re pleased to have been able to make them happen through the Towns Fund.

“Stapleford is now home to the UK’s first training track that offers a more accurate road experience for vision impaired people, which will help them to build confidence in navigating roads safely. We hope our track acts as a blueprint for other towns to follow.”

Rebecca praised the Towns Fund team’s support throughout the project: "The team responded immediately to my idea and have worked with me throughout to create something that can act as best practice that works for a wider range of users.