Campaign Sparks Nationwide Call for Safer Walking Routes
This winter, millions of Britons will lace up their boots and head out for walks. However, a startling reality lurks on many rural roads, walking can be life-threatening. With no pavements or legal footpaths, narrow lanes and blind bends force pedestrians to risk fast-moving vehicles just to get from one place to another.
A recent poll commissioned by Slow Ways, a grassroots initiative focused on walking infrastructure, has unveiled a significant public appetite for safer alternatives. The poll found that 71% of UK adults believe walking along the edges of privately owned fields should be allowed when no safer routes are available, as long as walkers remain respectful of the land.
The Risks of Rural Roads
Dan Raven-Ellison, founder and CEO of Slow Ways, paints a grim picture of the current situation:
“Every week, two pedestrians die and 34 are seriously injured on rural roads, according to Department for Transport statistics. Ensuring safe walking options is not just about convenience—it’s about saving lives.”
The problem extends far beyond safety concerns. Many rural residents, surrounded by privately owned fields, find themselves cut off from essential destinations. From shops and schools to pubs and places of worship, these locations are often only accessible by car or by braving dangerous road conditions.
Public Backing for a National Walking Network
The Slow Ways poll also highlights overwhelming support for an ambitious solution—a national walking network. Seventy percent of respondents expressed approval for creating new walking paths, even on private land, to allow safe travel to any address in the UK.
Since its inception in 2020, Slow Ways has made significant strides toward this vision. With help from thousands of volunteers, the initiative has mapped thousands of walking routes that connect Britain’s towns, cities, and landscapes using existing rights of way. However, glaring gaps remain, particularly in rural areas where safe paths are either missing or inaccessible.
“Walking should be as safe and convenient as driving. It’s the most affordable, healthy, and environmentally friendly way to travel, yet rural walkers are often left with no options but to risk their lives alongside speeding vehicles,” says Raven-Ellison.
Transforming Walking for Millions
Encouragingly, the poll suggests that 40% of respondents would walk more often if safer routes were available. Applied nationally, this could translate into 27 million people embracing walking as a regular activity. Such a shift would not only reduce road accidents but also improve public health, reduce carbon emissions, and distribute economic benefits across local communities.
A Vision for the Future
Slow Ways is calling on the government to take bold action. By working with local groups, landowners, and communities, they aim to create a network of safe, inclusive, and easily navigable paths for pedestrians across the UK.
The public can contribute to this effort by signing up as Slow Ways volunteers. In 2025, the initiative plans to intensify its activities, linking more towns and cities and addressing critical gaps in rural accessibility.
“This is a legacy we can all be proud of safe, enjoyable walking routes that connect people with nature, loved ones, and their local communities for generations to come,” concludes Raven-Ellison.