footpaths are Britain's most visited gym
[10 July 2005]
It’s official. Exercising in the great outdoors is more
popular than using a gym. Over 70% of those surveyed by the
Ramblers’ Association (RA) on the eve of ‘Use Your Paths Week’
(18 – 24 June 2005) said they prefer to walk in the countryside
than sweat it out in a gym.
Our ancient footpath network is arguably the nation’s favourite
gym with millions using it yearly, and there will be plenty of
opportunities for flexing muscles during the weeklong
awareness-raising event. As well as having an opportunity to get
their hands mucky clearing footpaths, the public are invited on
hundreds of walks across the country to highlight the importance
of footpaths for economic, social and recreational purposes.
As well as generating £6 billion for the rural economy yearly,
our ancient footpaths help keep us fit and healthy; link
communities; allow us to enjoy the beauty of the countryside and
explore away from roads and traffic and often other people. Yet
the latest figures issued by the Audit Commission show that only
69% of rights of way are easily walkable, and the RA wants to
throw the spotlight on the forgotten 31% of paths that can’t be
used and are deterring us from improving our health.
Adrian Morris, Head of Footpath Campaigns at the RA said: “It’s
staggering that 31% of footpaths are impossible to use when it
is patently clear that at our feet is the healthiest and
cheapest gym in the country as well as a real economic generator
for rural communities. Local authorities must take footpaths
seriously and bring them up to a walkable standard so that they
can all be used, for the benefit of the whole nation.”
The RA has created a special website
Use Your
Paths where the public can access
information on footpaths as well as report footpath problems.
You can also find
Audit
Commission statistics on footpaths in each county.