Cart aims to give disabled people countryside access

There are hopes that a specially designed carriage for people in wheelchairs will allow them to experience previously inaccessible areas of the South Downs Way.

The Obamobile is a horse-drawn cart in which people with disabilities or limited mobility can access the countryside or beaches more easily.

Simon Mulholland, who invented the cart, said: "It means that not only the person in the wheelchair can access the countryside, their family can too because if one person can't do something, nobody in the family does it."

The cart and his horse Obama arrived from Scotland last week for five taster sessions across Sussex, including Devil's Dyke near Brighton.

Mulholland said that thousands of people had used the cart.

Tammy, whose nephew Ryan tried the Obamobile, said: "It's an opportunity especially in the holidays when there's nothing for him to do, to be able to come out to Devil's Dyke is amazing."

Simon Mulholland said his horse Obama was named after the former US President Barack Obama [George Carden/BBC]

Mulholland, who has been making specially adapted carts for decades, has installed what he calls the instant pony release system, in case the pony bolts.

"If anything scares the pony, I can disconnect the cart with one press of a button or if he's more than ten metres from me, it will disconnect automatically," he said.

"If we can find someone with a pony who wants to do this in Sussex, we have the carts ready."

The Obamobile is a horse-drawn cart in which people with limited mobility can access the countryside [George Carden/BBC]

The project was inspired by Andy Davies, who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy and wanted to make the South Downs accessible for everyone.

His son, Luke Davies, said: "My dad was a very active person, as his condition became worse, he became aware of the obstacles in front of people and their ability to access places like here."

Andy Gattiker, access strategy lead for South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), said: "It's one tool in a variety of options. What the Obamobile is unique for is that it can get people on to the Downs who can't use an offroad wheelchair."

He added: "I really hope we can get something operating in the South Downs.

"Simon who runs it has moved further up north but it would be great to get a local person or charity providing the same service."

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