Accessibility
Bryher F.
Scilly is spectacular, yet it can be difficult - or occasionally impossible - for some people to access the islands and all they have to offer. Visitors and residents of all ages could experience short, long-term, or permanent mobility issues due to injury, ill-health, disability, or simply the privilege of growing older. Getting around and travelling to and from the islands can also be more challenging for young families with buggies, people with caring responsibilities and for anyone with invisible conditions, SEND, and sight or hearing impairments, but when accessibility is improved everyone benefits.
- Bryher F
Our community researcher, Bryher, brought the idea of an accessibility project to us, as she recognises that the beautiful place we call home may not be experienced equally by all, and wanted to learn more about people’s experiences across the islands.
Project Objectives
We worked together to develop a project proposal:
The study aims to assess current infrastructure, legal responsibilities, and community awareness, with the hope of identifying where practical improvements could be made to support daily life for residents, and inclusive tourism.
Project Components:
• Accessibility Audit: Survey infrastructure and essential services (pavements, public toilets, boats, pharmacy,
hospital, local businesses e.g. for groceries), island access points (Penzance, Exeter, Newquay, Land's End), and
emergency evacuation procedures.
• Outputs: Produce a free guide (leaflet or website) on accessible features and services, for use by the island
community and its visitors.
As part of this we'll be looking at:
• What are the main barriers to accessible travel and daily life on the Isles of Scilly, from arrival to local services?
• Who holds legal and operational responsibility for improving accessibility, and how is this coordinated?
• How can local institutions (businesses, tourism bodies, health services) contribute to a more inclusive island
environment?
Pilot Study
The initial phase of the project, taking place now until the end of March 2026, will be a pilot study to conduct an accessibility audit of streets, pavements, public toilets and refuge points from the end of the quay to the end of Hugh Street on St Mary’s – the primary pedestrian route for residents, visitors and the site of several essential services.
We’re very grateful to have been awarded some funding from the Isles of Scilly National Landscape Partnership under DEFRA’s 'Access for All’ grant to support this work.
The Council of the Isles of Scilly have been included in the planning of the study to ensure there’ll be no duplication of other audits or previous consultations.
We’re collaborating with one of the CRN project’s partners, Five Islands Academy to include students in the pilot study as part of their Project Week. They’ll be considering legislation and best practice, meeting with experts with lived experience, analysing community feedback, collecting data for mapping and assessing our walkways, and experiencing how it feels to move around St Mary’s using mobility aids.
Whether you think Scilly needs no accessibility improvements, or you’re full of ideas of what changes might help, we hope to hear from you…
There will be opportunities for you to share your experiences and views into the pilot study which runs until the end of March. Please keep an eye on our website and socials for more details of the upcoming survey which will be available online and in hard copy.
In addition to sharing your views, Bryher is really keen to hear from anyone wishing to volunteer directly on the pilot, and especially so if you have lived experience relating to accessibility issues.
There’s also an additional opportunity for a small group to receive specialist training in GIS mapping to support completion of the of the pilot and future projects.
Next steps: Following the pilot study, it is hoped that the research from Phase 1 will establish a replicable approach for future audits across the islands. Future work will need to be extended to encompass the seasonal aspects, recognising that some services are not available year-round and that it’s much busier here in summer than winter.
In light of this, we’d also like to further investigate:
- Quay and High Street audit for visual, hearing and cognitive accessibility
- Access to essential services
- Emergency evacuation plan
- Community spaces and public buildings
- Businesses and accommodation
- Coast paths and landscape routes
- Audits of other inhabited islands in the archipelago
- All access ports to the islands (seaports and airports)
The goal is that this initial audit will create the evidence base needed to guide our long-term aim of an Accessible Isles of Scilly Framework - something that supports future improvement works and inclusive design, informs local decision-making, and forms the foundation of a wider multi-year programme to enhance equitable, sustainable, inclusive access that respects Scilly’s natural beauty and rich heritage.
For more information, to share your views or express your interest in getting involved in the survey or the training - contact us by email hello@scillyresearch.org, use our Contact Us Form, call on 01720 575302 or pop into Quay House.