BackResidents encouraged to help audit their area to make Doncaster’s streets Fitter for Walking
On Thursday 10th September, the streets around Scawsby will be put under scrutiny as the Latin Gardens/Emley Drive area TARA team join forces with national charity Living Streets to help make the area Fitter for Walking.
When: Thursday 10th September, 10am
Where: Latin Gardens Communal Hall, Scawsby, DN5
Local residents, councillors and PCSO’s have been invited to join the Latin Gardens/Emley Drive area TARA in partnership with National Charity Living Streets in a Community Street Audit as part of the charity’s Fitter for Walking project. The Community Street Audit is part of an ongoing project in Doncaster to help people get passionate about their local area, thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund and in partnership with Doncaster Council.
Jim Shaw, Fitter for Walking Coordinator for Yorkshire will be leading the Community Street Audit on Thursday which will enable local people to have a say about their area and suggest ways in which it could be improved for the benefit of everyone. The route will take in a key footpath that is a shorter route from the housing estates to the local shops and amenities, and will highlight where the problems are and what could be done to make it a better walking environment. The audit will also look at the access to, and the use of, a local green space which local residents hope to transform into a space for local children to play football.
Living Streets, celebrating its 80th birthday this year, is the national charity that works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets around the UK. Fitter for Walking is part of a group of projects that will be helping 2 million people nationwide become more physically active, by incorporating regular walking or cycling into their daily lives. Doncaster Council is an official partner in the Fitter for Walking project and is eager to work with Living Streets and residents to encourage more people to get walking locally.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said:
“This is a very exciting project for us, and we are really pleased to be working alongside a range of people in the community.
“We want to make a real, lasting difference to Doncaster by finding out from residents themselves how they want their neighbourhood to change, and then helping them do it. Our streets should be accessible to all of us, without the threat of uneven pavements and excess clutter, and by making changes; we believe we can encourage more people to walk regularly, reducing congestion and creating a stronger sense of community. We can’t wait to get started!”
Local residents are welcome to attend the Community Street Audit on Thursday 10th September and can find out more information by contacting Jim Shaw on 07590 048491, or emailing jim.shaw@livingstreets.org.uk
Media: If you would like to send a photographer to the Community Street Audit, or to interview Jim about his work in the area, please contact Anna Powell, Press Officer on 020 7377 4914 or email anna.powell@livingstreets.org.uk
Notes to editors
Living Streets’ Fitter for Walking campaign is part of a portfolio of projects being delivered by a Consortium of the leading walking cycling and health organisations and funded through the Big Lottery Fund's Wellbeing Programme. The Programme provides funding to support the development of healthier lifestyles and to improve well-being.
The Consortium is led by Sustrans and includes British Cycling, CTC, Cycling England, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, the National Heart Forum, the National Obesity Forum, the Ramblers’ Association, Campaign for Better Transport and Walk 21. It is delivering a portfolio of projects that will enable two million people nationwide to become more physically active by walking or cycling as part of their daily lives by 2012.
The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.
Living Streets, celebrating its 80th birthday this year, is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.
Published on: 03/09/2009
