In a new cycling and walking delivery plan released for consultation today (Thursday 16 October) the government sets a target to get 55% of children walking to school by 2025. It’s about time something is done to recognise the importance of walking to school says pedestrian charity Living Streets.

Chief Executive Joe Irvin says:

“It’s encouraging that the government has at last recognised the impact on future generations of losing the walking habit in childhood. The concern is that some children never even get into the walking habit. This has to change. It is great that a target has been set, however, without investment and a commitment to behavior change, this will be impossible to reach.

“Through our walk to school schemes at Living Streets’ we have the seen the difference walking to school can make on communities. Simple interventions can really work but we need to know that government will invest in achieving this target which we calculate at an investment of £100 million between now and 2025.

“But its not just children. The ease and safety with which we can walk has a huge impact on our quality of life. For older people a poor street environment, speeding traffic, congestion, poorly maintained pavements and difficulty crossing the road can keep people unnecessarily housebound and isolated in their homes.

“Transport Minister Robert Goodwill recently stated that walking is not cycling’s poor relation. He’s right. To ensure walking is seen as the most accessible form of active travel, government need to have an equivalent figure to the proposed £10 per head investment for cycling.”