I visited the National Trust to see first-hand their good work making the iconic White Cliffs accessible for people who are disabled and less mobile.
Visiting the White Cliffs Visitor Centre, I was invited by senior management to experience accessibility provisions for the disabled and less mobile. This includes free parking for blue badge holders, generous parking and a specially designed accessible pathway along the white cliffs, part of a multimillion pound National Lottery-funded programme.
The White Cliffs is a huge tourist draw, attracting around 500,000 visits a year. It is owned and managed by the National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity. The National Trust shared with me steps being taken to make sure that the local community are more fully involved in the stewardship of the White Cliffs.
We also discussed with the National Trust steps being taken to ensure that financial inclusion was a greater focus. Discussing car parking charges, the National Trust confirmed that all the money raised at the site goes back into the stewardship of the White Cliffs.
Ensuring that the White Cliffs of Dover are accessible to everyone is vital part of the role of the National Trust as custodian of the cliffs. I was pleased to meet with the senior management team and be able to experience the accessibility provisions for the disabled and less mobile. This includes free parking for blue badge holders, generous parking and a specially designed accessible pathway along the White Cliffs, part of a multi-million pound National Lottery funded programme.
As the local MP, we also discussed accessibility for local people as I do hear that people are sometimes put off by the car parking charges at the site. I was interested to hear about the £25 discounted annual pass for local people within the CT postcode and to discuss with the National Trust their inclusion and community plans for the future. I was pleased that the National Trust confirmed that the money raised from car parking charges is invested in the White Cliffs.