Living Streets: National Walking Summit 2020

National Walking Summit 2020

The GM Walking Voice was one of the supporters of the Living Streets National Summit, and Greater Manchester’s work was highlighted throughout via speakers, panellists and award winners.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking held its National Walking Summit in Manchester last week (6 March) – a chance to celebrate the work being done across the region to help people walk and cycle more.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester opened the day with a rallying call for more investment in walking and cycling – “the highest form of transport investment.” Chris Boardman MBE, Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester followed up with a keynote speech about the Bee network and hopes for the region, before being joined by other active travel advocates from across the UK in a panel discussion.

Dame Sarah Storey (Sheffield City Region), Will Norman (London), Lee Craigie (Scotland), Lee Waters (Wales), and Simon O’Brien (Liverpool) discussed how getting more people walking can improve public health, tackling issues like pavement parking, 20mph and Vision Zero along the way.

The afternoon focussed on Living Streets’ new health report, Is Walking A Miracle Cure? – With it’s 10 recommendations for policy actions. A panel discussion around this followed a passionate talk by neuroscientist and author of ‘In Praise of Walking’, Professor Shane O’Mara.

The day was topped off nicely by Living Streets’ annual Charles Maher Award being presented to Pauline Johnston in recognition of her involvement in helping Levenshulme become the first community led ‘Filtered Neighbourhood’ for the Bee Network.

Watch highlights from the day here.

Notes to Editors:

Contact: Kathryn Shaw, Media and Communications Manager, Living Streets Kathryn.shaw@livingstreets.org.uk / 020 7377 4914 / 07545 209 865

The 2020 National Walking Summit was supported by Greater Manchester Walking Voice and Arup.

‘Is Walking a Miracle Cure?’ is authored by Dr Rachel Lee and Holly Barden: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/media/4988/is-walking-a-miracle-cure.pdf

Living Streets is the UK charity for everyday walking.

“We want to create a nation where walking is the natural choice for everyday, local journeys; free from congested roads and pollution, reducing the risk of preventable illnesses and social isolation. We want to achieve a better walking environment and to inspire people of all generations to enjoy the benefits the simple act of walking brings.”

“For 90 years we’ve been a beacon for walking. In our early days our campaigning led to the UK’s first zebra crossings and speed limits. Now our campaigns and local projects deliver real change to overcome barriers to walking and our groundbreaking initiatives such as the world’s biggest Walk to School campaign encourage millions of people to walk.”