External Affairs / Policy / Consultations Consultations
On the move: by foot
Walking
Consultation, Zone3/23
Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4 DR
Dear Madam
ON THE MOVE : BY FOOT
Thank you for giving the Institute for Outdoor Learning the opportunity to comment on your discussion paper on the above subject. The Institute, as a registered charity, was formed two years ago as the result of the convergence of six outdoor organisations. We represent probably the broadest spectrum across the industry of any existing outdoors organisation. Our members include employers and employees involved in walking, mountaineering, personal development, outdoor activities, watersports and field studies. Our members are present in schools; outdoor centres; educational establishments; some small providers and they may work for charities, local authorities, commercial enterprises or themselves.
You will see that we are concerned with the Outdoors mainly in rural areas but we do have a significant number of Outdoor Centres within towns and cities including watersports on rivers, canals and reservoirs, activity centres and urban environmental centres. Therefore, many of the comments and suggestions about the journeys to and from schools can be as applicable to the urban establishments of our members. However, we hold no expertise on the technical problems of the interface of the different kinds of road and pavement users and feel that it would be unhelpful to try and answer all of the 20 questions. We will therefore confine our comments to those of a more general nature.
As a policy, we would support the case for walking but cannot understand how it can be treated in isolation from the case for cycling where there would appear to be parallel benefits to the user and community. Whatever policies are advocated it must take into account that when dealing with young people that parents will not allow them to walk or cycle without supervision because in some areas there is a real threat to their personal safety whether from other road users or from those who will confront and assault young people (including their contempories).
Walking plays an important part of the activities in which young people and adults participate with our members where the aim is for a purpose that must be enjoyable. However, there has been an increasing trend over the decade for young people to have physical difficulty in participating in physical activity, including expeditions because their standard of fitness is too low.
Our members, particularly those in schools and in the youth service, do have a unique opportunity to encourage enjoyable walks but need a better time allocation and more resources to achieve this purpose. There are also opportunities for community education organisers to educate people on the enjoyment of walking by including it together with cycling and expeditions in their programmes, provided they are flexible to have day and weekend groups rather than the old two hours a week traditional adult education session.
More specific comments
Q6 How can you have more toilet facilities when local councils are closing
or restricting opening times to save costs? In Devon alone, it is estimated
that over 30% of present public toilets are at risk of disappearing.
Q8 We would support research on why people decide to walk or not because though
the answers might seem obvious, a quality research base must support any envisaged
programme.
Q9 It is not fear of crime in urban areas it is an established fact, you only
have to refer to any police statistical base for such information. Therefore,
to address this as 'fear' is a misrepresentation of the actuality. More police,
better detection rates and removal of criminals from the streets may be the
only answer.
Q13 Before such a development team is considered, consideration must be given
as to whether local authorities have the resources to carry out the policies
advocated in a financial climate that has seen large increases in local taxation.
Q14 If such a walking projects fund was established then it should include
within its criteria the ability to support educationists in educating young
people in the enjoyment of walking and cycling. this would include all aspects
of safety, fitness and the necessary protective clothing.
We have no objections to our reply being included in your summary of comments.
Yours faithfully
Allan Myatt
Chairman
Institute for Outdoor Learning
n.b. This matter is being dealt with by Brian Lamb, Executive member, so any correspondence should be addressed to him at: Greystone, Bere Ferrers, Devon, PL20 7JX.