Leigh Day wins award for championing removal of barriers on public pathways across Greater Manchester

The yearly awards from Walk Ride GM celebrate outstanding contributions to active travel initiatives made by individuals and groups dedicated to improving access to walking, wheeling, and cycling.

Leigh Day human rights team partner Ryan Bradshaw was presented with this year’s best campaign award following his work with campaign groups to push for the removal of barriers from public pathways. 

Campaigners say that the design and layout of the barriers make paths inaccessible to those using non-standard cycles, which are commonly used by disabled people, as well as to people using other kinds of mobility aids. It is also understood that the barriers can cause issues for people with sensory impairments. 

The campaign itself aims to put pressure on authorities in Greater Manchester to commit to the removal of all barriers on footpaths across the region, which total more than 1,400. 

In September 2024, a letter was sent by Leigh Day in collaboration with campaign groups to Greater Manchester Combined Authority mayor Andy Burnham and the chief executives of each local authority in Greater Manchester, laying out issues with the barriers and asking for a meeting to discuss the matter further.  

As well as asking for a meeting, the letter points out that the barriers fail to meet legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and in particular represent a failure to make reasonable adjustments in order to not discriminate against disabled people.  

The letter also argues that the barriers contradict Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights - which ensures the right to respect in a person’s private life - in that they restrict disabled people from being able to travel freely.  

Indications have been made by authorities in Greater Manchester that they will have staff on site to remove barriers in 2025, but campaigners are keen to ensure that firm written and financial commitments are made, with the deadlines for prior commitments having passed by without the necessary action being taken.  

The groups Leigh Day is collaborating with include British Cycling, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, Wheels for Wellbeing and Walk Ride Greater Manchester, as well as campaigner and active travel researcher Dr Harrie Larrington-Spencer. 

Leigh Day’s Ryan Bradshaw said: 

“I am delighted to be able to collect this award, which recognises the fantastic collaborative work that is being done to push for the removal of barriers from pathways across Greater Manchester. We do not believe it is right that disabled people are having their access to public rights of way restricted, and will continue campaigning to ensure that no further barriers are erected and that action is taken to remove all historical barriers in the region. These are our paths and everyone should be able to enjoy them”