Transport for London (TfL) have just launched a 15-mile walking and cycling route as part of the wider Walk London Network. The Green Link Walk will be the eighth in the network, and spans several London boroughs, including the City of London. It also links almost 40 of London’s gorgeous green spaces, as well as five other Walk London routes.
Ever since the pandemic, there has been a considerable boom in ‘walking for fun’ – and, according to TfL’s Leisure Walking Plan, over 57% of Londoners have been craving more space dedicated to walking.
This is all part of TfL and the Mayor’s grand plan to make London the most walkable city in the world. The Walk London Network is already one of the largest walking and cycling networks in any city in the world, and comprises of the existing Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway, the Capital Ring, Green Chain, Lea Valley, London Outer Orbital Path, and of course the Thames Path.
The hope is that, by adding to this network of so-called ‘walking and wheeling’ routes, there will be even more opportunities to improve Londoners’ health and wellbeing which, importantly, are affordable. The walk has also been designed with accessibility in mind, avoiding any obstacles such as streets without dropped kerbs and removing bollards.
The Green Link Walk starts at Epping Forest and runs through a whole handful of London boroughs before ending in Peckham. Signs will guide people along the pathways, with walkers, runners or cyclists whizzing through the likes of Walthamstow Marshes, London Fields and Burgess Park. It’ll even pass the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral and cross the Millennium Bridge.
David Harrison, Co-founder of Footways and Vice Chair of Living Streets, said:
‘This Walk has everything: marshes and forest, squares, parks and canals, 12th century churches, quiet Georgian and Victorian terraces, and splendid architecture from the 20th and 21st centuries. Do take a look at the features on the Footways digital map of the route. I am so pleased to see the Walk launched after years working with partners to create it.’
What’s more, if you complete the entire 15-mile route, you can download a cute little certificate to commemorate the feat.
TfL have been working on their Leisure Walking Plan for two years, and there’s more to come. For example, upgrading existing routes to make them more accessible, developing more routes, and just generally promoting the importance of walking for our mental and physical health.
Also published on Medium.
