Shrewsbury Town Council is looking to be a leading Council in the promotion of the Charter for Walking Neighbourhoods.
The charter, initiated by the Ramblers Association, is calling for interest in the local rollout of their charter seeking to develop local neighbourhoods that promote good physical health and mental well-being, encouraging people to get outside more and be more active.
The five-point Charter strives to make neighbourhoods more green, creating a network of walking routes, giving greater priority to the pedestrian rather than the car, promoting walking and reclaiming places for communities.
Whilst the Charter is in its infancy, Councillors have been assured that many of the Town Council’s projects and initiatives are promoting those overriding themes.
Of particular relevance is the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, which seeks to create green networks, encourages alternative forms of transport to the car, creates better footways and begins to test planning to make developments more bespoke to the needs of Shrewsbury.
Councillor Alan Mosley, Leader of the Council, said: “The Town Council has been actively involved in the development of the Big Town Plan and we are very supportive of ensuring green networks run through both existing and new development in Shrewsbury.
“We have recently agreed a number of improvements to footpaths in our town that will help link communities and encourage people to get out of their cars and walk more. I am very excited at the prospect of working with the Ramblers Association to help shape ideas that could be rolled out further”.
The Town Council meets in early November and will seek all Councillors’ support in being involved and the Town Clerk will liaise with the Ramblers Association to see
how Shrewsbury could be at the forefront of shaping the Charter.
Details of the Charter can be found at https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/walking-neighbourhoods/charter-for-walking-neighbourhoods.aspx
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