Walkers are Welcome

Walkers are Welcome is a network of Britain’s walk-friendly towns launched October 2007. The scheme involves a walk-friendly accreditation system.

Towns in the network
As of October 2007, four towns have achieved full ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status: A further 11 towns are working towards, or actively exploring, achieving the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status.
 * Hebden Bridge (West Yorkshire)
 * Moffat (Scotland)
 * Prestatyn (North Wales)
 * Mytholmroyd (West Yorkshire).

History and criteria
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.

Quote
“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.”

“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.” Andrew Bibby, founder member of Hebden Bridge Walkers Action and Ramblers Association (RA) trustee.