A new 15-mile walking route, the Green Link Walk, has been launched by Transport for London (TfL), the City of London, Southwark, Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. The new route will link more communities with green spaces and help to build on increases in leisure walking seen since the pandemic and to fulfil a mayoral manifesto commitment. TfL and the Mayor aim to make London the most walkable city in the world, and the Green Link Walk was conceived in partnership with a range of different walking and wheeling groups, including Ramblers, London Living Streets, Sustrans and CPRE.
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 wellbeing, 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 Green Link will cater to this need, providing Londoners with a new 15-mile route travelling through some of London’s best green spaces.
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. Green Link Walk signs will guide people along streets and paths to green spaces and waterways. Two new rain gardens that help reduce and prevent flooding, will be installed on the route, which will go through two major urban realm transformations planned for Clerkenwell Green.
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.
The Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in leisure walking since the pandemic, and Londoners have told us they’re keen for more space dedicated to walking. With spring just around the corner, this new walking route is a great way to improve Londoners’ health and wellbeing by increasing access to nearly 40 of London’s green spaces, helping to build a better city for all Londoners.”
Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy and Policy said: “We are delighted to launch the Green Link Walk, London’s newest leisure walking and wheeling route, and the eighth route to be included in the Walk London Network. London is already a great city to explore on foot and this new route will encourage Londoners to enjoy more of our beautiful green spaces across the capital. Leisure walking has a vital role to play in the health of everyone living in London and we’ll continue to work with our partners to ensure everyone has access to high-quality walking infrastructure.”
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman said: “Walking is fantastic for both your physical and mental wellbeing – especially if it’s done in nature – so it’s excellent to see the launch of this new route, which will help residents and tourists get out and explore the greener side of London.
“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.”
David Harrison, Co-founder of Footways and Vice Chair of Living Streets, said: “This Walk has everything: marshes and forest, squares, parks and canals, 12th century churches, quiet Georgian and Victorian terraces, and splendid architecture from the 20th and 21st centuries. Do take a look at the features on the Footways digital map of the route. I am so pleased to see the Walk launched after years working with partners to create it.”
Hana Sutch, CEO & Co-Founder at Go Jauntly, said: “The new Green Link trail is a brilliant addition to London and navigates some lesser known hidden gems that more people should enjoy. We’re so pleased to be able to host the brand new routes on the Go Jauntly app. You can walk or wheel them in sections or enjoy the whole route in one.”
