BackWalking at heart of active travel strategy
Minister of State for Transport, Sadiq Khan, stated that walking is one of the key modes of transport for improved local travel and public health strategies. He was speaking following the publication of the new Active Travel Strategy which will be launched at the Active Travel Conference run by national charity Living Streets.
With levels of walking and cycling in England declining in the last 30 years, national charity Living Streets called together transport, health and planning professionals to share best practise on active travel strategies to improve environmental, societal and health issues in their communities at a conference on 23 February.
Minister for Transport Sadiq Khan will use the event to launch the Active Travel Strategy and highlight the need for community engagement to ensure its delivery.
Sadiq Khan said:
“We recognise that key partners have a front and centre role to play in helping us deliver our Active Travel strategy - the blueprint to make active travel a genuine and viable option for people.
“Third Sector organisations, such as Living Streets, have the skills and expertise that can help turn government policies on active travel into practical outcomes.”
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“We welcome the presence of walking in the Active Travel Strategy. Levels of walking and cycling in England have declined significantly in the last 30 years and we now have some of the lowest rates of cycling and walking in Europe. With high obesity and low physical inactivity rates there is an urgent need for us to focus on active travel which people can fit easily into their daily routine. Creating safe, attractive and enjoyable streets where people want to walk will not only benefit people’s health, but will also create a sense of community and bring our streets to life. We would like all local authorities to put walking at the heart of local transport and public health strategies and plans.”
Sheffield County Council is one organisation that has delivered on the Active Travel Strategy using Living Streets experience. The 'Sheffield Change4Life Programme', a partnership between NHS Sheffield and the Sheffield City Council, provided communities with the greatest health need with training in undertaking community street audits so they could identify problems and solutions to improve opportunities for active travel, physical activity and play.
Download the Department for Transport's Active Travel Strategy.
Published on: 22/02/2010
