New Chair announced for Living Streets
John Dales has been appointed Chair of Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking.
John brings 40 years’ experience as a transport planner, traffic engineer and urban designer working to enable people to travel more sustainably. From 2011 - 2018, John was a trustee of Living Streets and has remained a strong supporter and advocate for the charity since.
John will take up the role from current Chair, Dame Jane Roberts, when her term ends on 31 March 2026.
John Dales, Chair-Elect, Living Streets said:
“As someone whose working life is committed to making it easier for people to walk and wheel more, the mission of Living Streets has always been close to my heart. I am hugely excited at now having the privilege of leading the charity as it continues to undertake and expand its vital work.”
Dame Jane Roberts has steered the charity through significant periods of adversity, including the UK lockdowns and changes to funding. Since becoming Chair in December 2018, she has overseen several campaign successes, including a pavement parking ban introduced in Scotland, 20mph rolled out as the default speed limit for residential areas in Wales, and most recently, the first road safety strategy from UK Government in ten years.
Dame Jane Roberts, Chair of Living Streets said:
“Living Streets was celebrating its 90th anniversary in my first year as Chair. As the time for me to step down approaches, with the charity’s 100th anniversary now on the horizon, I have the opportunity to reflect on all that’s been achieved in this time.
“We have not been without challenge, but thanks to the spirit, support and strength of the Board and staff, more people are enjoying the rich benefits that come from walking and wheeling on safe, accessible streets. John Dales will be superb as Chair with his deep knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for walking as a mode of transport.”
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:
“We are pleased to announce John as our incoming Chair, following a competitive recruitment process. John’s experience and vast knowledge combined with his passion for Living Streets puts us in safe hands as we embark on a new strategy and approach our centenary.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dame Jane Roberts. Jane has generously dedicated her time, skills and expertise for over seven years, championing our cause at events across the nation – come rain or shine. Her unwavering commitment has shaped us into the resilient charity we are now and left us well-equipped for the future. We look forward to continuing to work – and walk – with Jane when she joins our alumni of former Trustees.”
Jane’s last appearance as Chair of Living Streets will be at their UK Walking Summit in Liverpool on 25 March.
Dame Jane Roberts at Lainesmead Primary School – one of Living Streets’ WOW schools
Meet John Dales
John Dales is a transport planner, traffic engineer and urban designer with over 40 years’ experience working to enable people to travel more sustainably and to create safer, more inclusive, and better-designed streets, public spaces and urban places.
From 2011-2018, John was a trustee of Living Streets and has remained a strong supporter and advocate for the charity since, including promoting Living Streets’ National Walking Month with his annual – and significant – walks to work.
John is currently a trustee of Transport for All and was previously Chair of the Transport Planning Society and a contributor to Manual for Streets 2. He is an experienced trainer of other transport practitioners, a member of several design review panels, a regular conference speaker and chair, and author of the monthly ‘Street Talk’ column in Local Transport Today since 2005.
John was Director at Urban Initiatives before founding Urban Movement in 2011, where his projects have seen streets physically transformed to become more attractive places to spend time and easier for people to move in them under their own power.