Transport for London (TfL) has published a plan to boost the amount of people walking for leisure across the capital.
As part of the Leisure Walking Plan, TfL has partnered with walking app Go Jauntly to digitise the Walk London network.
The Walk London Network is reportedly one of the largest walking networks of any city in the world, with digitisation meaning people will be able to navigate its route through the associated app.
The routes are designed to be accessible by public transport and pass through 28 London boroughs, with each route split into sections for ease of navigation.
What’s more, TfL also plans to carry out an audit of signage on the existing Walk London network and look to improve existing wayfinding signs.
The transport body likewise plans to use funding from the Mayor’s Green New Deal fund to identify further upgrades, including the resurfacing of paths.
Since the pandemic, TFL claims walking for leisure has become the top reason for an uptake in walking, with a 2022 survey revealing that 39% of people who walked more did so for leisure, versus 37% who walked to travel somewhere and 31% who walked as part of a public transport journey.
To support the deliver of the scheme, TfL has said it will work closely with the London Walking Forum, a membership body which includes organisations such as Living Streets, Sustrans, Ramblers, London Councils and the Canal & River Trust.
According to TfL, it and its partners in the London Walking Forum will assess progress towards the delivery of the scheme and collaborate on additional means of boosting leisure walking across the capital.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “London is already a great place to explore on foot but as Londoners grapple with the impacts of climate change, a child inactivity crisis and spiralling cost of living, it is vital that we do more to improve London’s leisure walking network.
“Walking provides people with an affordable, easy way to maintain their mental and physical wellbeing while protecting and improving the environment.
“Our action plan will enhance and improve the Walk London Network making London much more walkable and in doing so improve Londoners health, reduce health inequalities and increase access to green space – contributing to building a better, greener London for everyone.”
