Five things to look forward to at the 2025 UK Walking Summit
We’ve got a jam-packed programme for Living Streets ninth UK Walking Summit, taking place for the first time this year in Bristol and online on Tuesday 3 June.
Our Campaigns and Public Affairs Coordinator, Zak Viney – picks out his highlights from this year’s gathering of sustainable transport experts from across the UK.
1. Revived political ambition
I attended my first UK Walking Summit as a guest in Sheffield last year. Back then, the sector was picking itself back up following the aftermath of ‘bikelash’. Back in summer 2023, policies enabling walking, wheeling and cycling such as 20mph zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods found themselves on the front pages following a controversial by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip where the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was a decisive and divisive issue.
At the Summit in Sheffield, we discussed practical things we can do as advocates to swing political favour to get behind schemes that simply make everyday journeys safer and more enjoyable.
Fast forward to 2025 and there’s further evidence that these measures can benefit communities. In Wales, there were around 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on roads with 20mph and 30mph road speed limits in the 12-month period after the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit. And one-year following the introduction of ULEZ, PM2.5 emissions have fallen by 31% and NOx emissions from cars and vans by 13% and 16% respectively in outer-London.
In the Autumn Budget, the UK Government effectively recouped active travel funding cut of March 2023 and will publish a third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3) following the conclusion of the Spending Review. We’re delighted that we’ll welcome Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood MP, who joins us at the UK Walking Summit in Bristol as morning keynote speaker to outline the Government’s plans. We’ll also share a pre-recorded address from Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer, who will talk about regional aspirations.
UK Walking Summit 2024 in Sheffield
2. Taking in the Brizzle buzz
Bristol Park Street plans. Image (c) Bristol City Council
National Government buy in is futile should this not lead to delivery of schemes by local authorities. Whilst organising this year's programme, I've been inspired by progressive developments in Bristol to shape a future where walking or wheeling is the number one choice for short journeys. So naturally, I’m excited that we’ll be hosted by Bristol City Council this year.
In October, the council formed a new taskforce focussed on improving the pedestrian experience. We're excited to hear Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Policy Committee tell us of this vision; and have Councillor Rob Bryher, Chair of the Kerbside and Parking Strategy Task and Finish Group, lead a UK Walking Summit 'Walkshop' this year – providing a tour of Bristol City Centre’s low-car and car-free spaces.
And to add to that, Bristol City Council is considering a new proposal that would give pedestrians priority over vehicles at traffic light crossings. If approved, all one-hundred pelican, puffin and toucan crossings will be programmed so the green man appears the moment someone pushes the button if no one has approached one for 30 seconds.
3. Taking inspiration from thriving schemes
The Summit will act as a source of inspiration to campaigners and local authorities alike, seeking to shape their local high street to be a lively hub for walked and wheeled journeys.
Event sponsor, Redcliffe & Temple BID will be running an exciting walkshop showing off the pedestrianisation of Bristol’s Kind Street and Old City, discussing each scheme’s successes and challenges, as well as how to manage change and the new ways of working used to implement these schemes.
We’ll be building on this also during our Summit morning panel, going beyond the context of project in large cities and shining a spotlight on the success of Shrewsbury – where weekend pedestrianisation of the town centre led to an uplift in businesses sales volume by 25%. Telling us more about this will be Seb Slater, Director of Shrewsbury BID.
4. Capturing how walking and wheeling supports public health outcomes
Our afternoon keynote will be delivered by Professor Scarlett McNally, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, President of the Medical Women's Federation and lead author of 'Exercise: The miracle cure", which proposes addressing inactivity to fix the NHS and social care systems. She has championed walking, wheeling and cycling and associated policies to reduce ill health, road traffic injuries, and pollution.
Scarlett’s infectious advocacy for the benefits of active journeys is a one that should be listened to. For many, making active journeys is an accessible preventative measure to avoid ill physical and mental health; walking itself represents most active journeys taken and is the most beneficial way of getting somebody from nothing to something.
We’ll see these benefits systemically too. As we experience real-time public health crisis and an NHS at critical capacity, enabling these journeys through progressive Government policy is a no brainer to boost the nation’s health, and our economy as well.
5) Embracing perspectives
At Living Streets, we’re aware representation in the space of advocacy for walking and wheeling has faced historic challenges with women and minority genders, disabled, minority ethnic and young communities all underrepresented.
At the UK Walking Summit, we actively seek to platform these voices and it’s these perspectives I’m most interested to hear.
Kyrby Brown, Access Coordinator from West of England Centre for Integrated Living (WECIL) will be leading a wheel/walk to highlight how disabled people navigate the public realm and the common barriers that prevent or hinder travel. “Walk and Wheel in our shoes” will help attendees understand what good accessibility looks like and to learn the importance of considering access and including disabled people when designing the public realm.
We’ll also be platforming the voices and assessing the challenges facing women and minority genders, who often have a higher risk – or perceived risk – when walking. Our headline sponsor, AtkinsRéalis will lead a walk and audit to identify issues and potential changes to improve actual and perceived safety, championing their belief that everyone deserves to feel safe in public spaces.
You can check out the range of walkshops we have planned. The hardest decision of the day will be which one to join.
One of our 2024 walkshops