Greater Manchester to be the country’s first walking city-region

Walking helps improve personal health and tackle inactivity

£2million funding from Greater Manchester’s Health and Social Care Partnership Transformation Fund will see Greater Manchester become the country’s first walking city-region.

The funding comes at same time as Sport England has awarded Greater Manchester £10m National Lottery Funding, having chosen the region as a pilot area to make getting active even easier.

Joe Irvin, chief executive at Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, said: “Making Greater Manchester the country’s first walking-city region shows a real commitment to the health of everyone living, working and visiting the area.

“When walking is the first choice for everyday journeys, it helps improve personal health and tackle inactivity, whilst also reducing congestion and air pollution.

“The most inactive people are often the same people who are more likely to be restricted from walking in their local area because of issues like cars parking on pavements, inappropriate speeds and poor street design.

“Part of this funding will see work take place with communities to understand local barriers to walking which can help inform street improvements to benefit everyone.”