Conference launches Britain’s first walk-friendly towns network
Britain’s first ever walk-friendly towns’ network has been launched as a result of the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ inaugural conference, which took place in Hebden Bridge this weekend.
The conference, which saw delegates from towns around the country gather to discuss the future of the pioneering walk-friendly accreditation system, established a national ‘Walkers are Welcome’ network to co-ordinate and implement the increasingly popular scheme. Since it was launched last year, four towns have achieved full ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status, including Hebden Bridge (West Yorkshire), Moffat (Scotland), Prestatyn (North Wales) and Mytholmroyd (West Yorkshire). A further 11 towns are working towards, or actively exploring, achieving the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status.
The scheme was proposed and implemented by Hebden Bridge Walkers Action in June 2006, and encourages local communities to promote walking within their towns and villages by working with their councils to meet six criteria. These include demonstration of widespread local support, and the effective promotion and maintenance of a good footpath, public transport and walkers’ facilities network.
Ramblers Association (RA) trustee and founder member of Hebden Bridge Walkers Action, Andrew Bibby, told a packed conference hall: “The ‘‘Walkers are Welcome’’ idea is appealing for many towns and villages, as it is a grass roots initiative that is proposed, developed and driven by the community itself.
“Since gaining full status, Hebden Bridge has reaped real economic and social benefits from growing numbers of visitors. Meanwhile, local residents are enjoying the health and pleasure benefits of the increasingly accessible world of walking on their doorsteps.”
He adds: “By setting up a formal, permanent ‘Walkers are Welcome’ network, we are providing towns with a realistic, effective, and standard means to making walking – and walkers – part of the fabric of everyday life.”
For more information on the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ initiative visit www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk
