Making paths truly accessible in Sutton
Safe and accessible walking routes are essential to help support people from all walks of life to walk and wheel more. Rosie, our Engagement Lead, talks with Sutton Living Streets Local Group about the work they have been doing ensuring that a new walking link meets the needs of a diversity of people from across their community.
“Walking links are very very important! And very exciting!” This is what Tony Pattison from Sutton Living Streets group first said when we sat down to talk. I told him I couldn’t agree more. Walking has a long list of positive benefits on our health, environment and wellbeing. And there are issues of social injustice at the heart of who has access to freely walk and wheel, and who doesn’t.
These issues are concerns in Sutton, too. Tony told me that the local hospital is being expanded, so that 13,000 more workers will be commuting to Sutton, as well as more patients who will be accessing the hospital. The group’s goal is for all the workers and patients at the unit to be able to walk and wheel there in a purpose made walking link starting directly from when they alight at the train station.
“I really do believe that walking is wonderful. It’s free! And it’s better for you. Especially if you have good crossings and clear pavements. That’s exactly why I started the group up.”
Sutton High Street
The group knows the importance of building connection and community. Tony shared how getting to know people on a friendly level is key to building a movement and working together for positive change. So, the group got talking to other local grassroots groups, including disability advocacy groups, to understand a diversity of perspectives from all walks of life and to feed this into their campaign. Tony shared how local community cafes and venues were valuable hubs for forging connections with people across Sutton.
After these discussions, the group decided they wanted to see good quality lighting, regular seating, planters, and step free access all along the walking link from the railway to the hospital to make sure it is as accessible for as many people as possible. They didn’t waste any time in putting their plans into action.
The next step was to start speaking out and to engage with the decision makers who had the power to affect change.
Helping people get connected to their local decision makers is a central part of the group’s work. We know how important it is to ensure that the views of those who are most affected are put front and centre in decision making processes. The group played an active role consultations, in making sure people’s voices were being heard. They attended regular consultations about the walking link, supported others to attend, monitored progress and ensured accessibility was at the heart of suggested changes.
They also attended a meeting of Sutton’s Environment Champions group and gave a presentation to local councillors, including the council leader, highlighting the work of the group and helping to connect decision makers to voices and perspectives that are so often underrepresented.
Royal Marsden Hospital is being expanded, bringing tens of thousands of new staff and visitors to the area.
“It can happen that people feel disconnected from their local council. The best way around this is to get involved and to go along and meet them and get talking! But not everybody feels that they can.”
The group has developed walking maps of the area to encourage more people to access green spaces.
The group couldn’t be happier with the results of their campaign. The new plans show the walking link will be fully accessible, well lit and have easy-read signage. It will also be a beautiful place to spend time, with flower planters and benches lining the 10 minute route. It feels like getting one step closer to their vision of having the magic of walking be accessible to all.
As well as having a positive impact on their local infrastructure, the group are also enjoying the positive relationships they have built with their local decision makers. The group has long posted about hidden walking routes within Sutton on their website, wanting to support more people across the borough to access hidden gems.
Tony shared, “We often have walking and wheeling routes that nobody knows about. That’s why walking maps are so important. They help more people move around.” So, the group was happy to be invited to support the London Borough of Sutton in their creation of an official walking map for the borough.
The group are also celebrating the connections they have made across their community and that even more people in their area will be able to enjoy the magic of walking and wheeling.
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Living Streets