Steve Oakey and Neil Hockaday have started the ball rolling on a reference document outlining the places on the River Dart where there is reasonable access for those that are mobility challenged. A copy of our initial draft is below titled 'DRAFT' Dart Sailability
River Dart accessibility development, which we hope is fairly self explanatory.
We need input from as many river users as possible. The Harbour Master has already circulated the draft to the three Stakeholder Groups and others, but the most important input is from people within Dart Sailability who have had direct experience of getting ashore in various places (or not as the case may be!). It would be great to get photos of people actually going ashore at the listed sites.
At the Trustee Meeting earlier this week, it was agreed to circulate the document to all DS members, volunteers and friends, and carers as well as putting the document on the DS website for comment.
Neil will collate your responses which we hope to get by the end of September.
In essence, we need comment on the accuracy and usefulness of the approach in the current document, and changes additions or clarification on the listed access points, or indeed any additional access points that have been used. In due course we will circulate the developing draft to the rescue services such as the RNLI, HM Coast Guard and the Fire Brigade, as they all have river evacuation plans in their possession.
Neil Hockaday
Trustee
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In Totnes there is a slipway on the Totnes side of Vire Island that is opposite the kebab shop. It looks as if it may depend on tide, I'm not sure if the water leading to it dries, but the slipway itself is excellent, as far as I can tell.
Is this the Mill Tail slipway? I looked for signage and may have missed it.
Consider when appropriate adding access points with commentary to Open Street Map, which acts as a data source for many people, and to Google Maps. Note that this will require a nominated 'maintainer'
Add: Difficult and often slippery slip into the Boat Float, controlled by locked/lockable gate
Add: Public steps into Boat Float
Add: Public steps into Bayards Cove
Add: Various Public Steps Dartmouth North and South embankments
Add: Public steps with DHNA security gate controlled access to DA/DB and Low Water Landing pontoons
Add: ramp access (steep at low water) to DHNA controlled Hoodown Dinghy Rack
Add: Dittisham - Beach by Ferry Boat Inn, Beach by Dittisham Sailing Club (both have vehicular access
Add: Maypool - probably 100% private
Add, after research, KIngswear Castle area. This area is generally private but may provide access near the harbour mouth on the Kingswear side. Consider also the beach by the small castle folly at…
Add: Public slipway next to Higher Ferry Slip [Dartmouth side only]. Access to be determined. No handrail, narrow and slippery in parts. Owned by SHDC? Access is controlled separately from the Higher Ferry owned and operated slip. Potential conflict with vessel launch and recovery; Dart RNLI D Class launch slip