TfL launches new walking route from Epping Forest to Peckham
A new 15-mile walking route – the Green Link Walk – was launched by Transport for London (TfL) and the City of London, Southwark, Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest councils on Friday.
The Green Link Walk is the eighth route in the Walk London Network and runs from Epping Forest to Peckham town.
It links almost 40 areas of green space, including Walthamstow Marshes, London Fields and Burgess Park, and five other Walk London routes.
The new route has been created to increase leisure walking in London, improve Londoners’ health and well-being, and enhance community access to green space and nature.
The Walk London Network is one of the largest walking and wheeling networks of any city in the world and includes the Capital Ring, Green Chain, Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway, Lea Valley, London Outer Orbital Path and the Thames Path.
Since the pandemic, London has seen a 10 per cent increase in leisure walking and, according to TfL’s Leisure Walking Plan, 57 per cent of Londoners want to see more space in London dedicated to walking.
The route has been designed with accessibility in mind and TfL has removed barriers such as bollards to ensure that everyone can access the route. The route also avoids streets without dropped kerbs and bridges with steep ramps and steps.
The route is funded from the Mayor’s Green and Healthy Streets Fund, which supports projects that redesign streets to integrate green infrastructure and climate resilience measures, alongside interventions that support active travel, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: “Walking is fantastic for both your physical and mental well-being – especially if it’s done in nature.
“Opening up more opportunities for walks with friends and family, runs along waterways or wildlife spotting will be vital to improving the nation’s health.
“That’s why we’re working with councils to get more schemes like the Green Link Walk delivered up and down the country.”
Pictured top: Green Link Walk signs in London (Picture: TfL)