Could Brockley be best place to walk?

A public vote to name one of Britain’s best walking neighbourhoods is due to close this weekend.

Brockley is on the final shortlist of 10 neighbourhoods, and Ramblers, a walking charity, is calling on people to vote for Brockley as Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood 2019, before the vote closes on Sunday.

The annual award celebrates areas where positive steps have been taken to create green, welcoming and walkable neighbourhoods which place importance on people rather than cars.

According to Sport England, more than a third of people in England don’t reach the recommended activity levels.

The Ramblers hope that better walking spaces lead to increased activity of locals, which can improve health, social and economic benefits, while also combating poor air quality.

Brockley made the shortlist thanks to its well-integrated walking network linking up a wide variety of green spaces including four major parks, and series of innovative conservation projects.

The vibrant mix of street art and things to do in the area adds to its community-friendly feel.

Many of the main walking routes in and around Brockley pass through beautiful parks and past independent shops, bars, pubs and restaurants, which adds to the community atmosphere.

Vanessa Griffiths, chief executive of the Ramblers, said: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefits of walking and being outdoors every day, wherever they live and work.

“Our finalists this year are fantastic examples of how communities and local authorities can work together to create neighbourhoods that are designed around people, making them safe and enjoyable to walk around.

“We want to councils and developers across the country to follow their example and help us create a country that is truly designed for walking.”

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “Lewisham is proud to have the best green spaces in London.

Last year our parks were ranked best in the capital by Parks for London. We are committed to making Lewisham greener, so everyone can enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of walking.

“We are launching our first healthy neighbourhood and encouraging residents to switch to more environmentally-friendly forms of transport.

“We’re working hard to transform communities so they are cleaner and healthier.

More people getting active means they can really discover their local area, which is also good news for the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our local economy.

“Brockley is a leading contender for Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood, and I encourage everyone to give this exciting part of Lewisham their vote.”

You can find out more on how to vote for Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood 2019 at http://www.ramblers.org.uk/vote