Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, launches its new five-year strategy today (13 October 2020).
‘Walk With Us” - sets out the charity’s goals to 2025, to achieve its vision of a nation where walking is the natural choice for local, everyday journeys.
Millions of people have rediscovered walking during the recent lockdown and governments across the UK have prioritised active travel. But the pandemic has also revealed that too many streets are not fit for purpose, the stark inequalities faced in local communities and the loneliness experienced by older adults.
The charity’s mission is to achieve a better walking environment and inspire people to walk more.
It will campaign for big changes in three areas:
Dame Jane Roberts, Chair of Living Streets said:
“We have a choice, now, between a cleaner future for people, places and our planet, or continuing with activities which damage our health and environment. Transforming the way we move around our towns and cities, will play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and achieving better physical and mental health.
“Our new strategy will put us firmly on the path to achieve these ambitions, setting out our goals for walking and ensuring we thrive as a well-governed, sustainable and effective organisation.”
Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:
“During the COVID-19 lockdown, millions of people rediscovered the simple act of walking – the oldest, cheapest and greenest transport there is. But the pandemic saw people struggling with narrow, uneven pavements, crossings that prioritise cars rather than people, and pavement parking.
“Placing walking at the heart of government policy will ensure we build back better and avoid a car-led recovery. It will allow us to tackle the twin epidemics of obesity and loneliness, and create a cleaner future for pedestrians from all walks of life.”
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