BackResidents make Redbridge Fitter for Walking
On Wednesday 23rd September, the school route around Woodford in Redbridge will be put under scrutiny as the local residents of the Orchard Estate; pupils from Ray Lodge Primary School, Redbridge Homes and Redbridge Council join forces with national charity Living Streets to help make the area Fitter for Walking.
WHERE: Redbridge Homes Office, Orchard Estate, Broadmead Road, Woodford
WHEN: Wednesday 23rd September, 08:15
Parents, children and the members of the Orchard Community Group will be joining Fitter for Walking Manager Jack Skillen on Wednesday morning, in a Community Street Audit to assess a key walking route to the primary school. The Community Street Audit is part of the ongoing Fitter for Walking project in Redbridge, which aims to help people get passionate about their local area, thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund and in partnership with Redbridge Council.
Local parents of the estate have raised the issue of crossing the Broadmead Road on the way to school, a route often described as being very busy in the mornings and with no formal crossing. The audit on Wednesday will look at these issues and others en route to the school, highlighting where the problems are and suggesting improvements for the benefit of everyone.
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. Redbridge 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 with Redbridge Homes, Ray Lodge Primary School and local residents who really want to make Redbridge’s streets safer for everyone.
“It’s really important that there are safer crossings to school, not just at the entrance, but on routes that children take from their doorsteps. By making these changes, we believe we can make walking a more attractive option again, reducing congestion and creating a stronger sense of community and with International Walk to School Month returning in October, we can’t wait to get started!”
Kiran Sawhney, Community Development Officer at Redbridge Homes said:
“Our residents have expressed a need for a safe crossing on Broadmead Road for walking to school everyday. We would like to support them in this important venture and look forward to working with all partners along the way!"
Local residents are welcome to attend the Community Street Audit on Wednesday 23rd September and can find out more information by contacting Jack Skillen on 020 7377 4912, or emailing jack.skillen@livingstreets.org.uk
Media: If you would like to send a photographer to the Community Street Audit, or to interview Jack 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: 21/09/2009
