Living Streets Aotearoa strongly supports Let’s Get Welly Moving (LGWM)’s commitment tothe capital’s walkability.

“Walking is a real choice in our compact city, either for the whole journey or combined with public transport,” says Celia Wade-Brown, Living Streets National Secretary and Mayor when the LGWM project began. “This integrated plan has serious funding for walking at $95 million. Improving crossings, reducing wait times, and reducing traffic speed will make walking to work, to school, to the bus, and to the shops much better. Too much traffic, urban sprawl, long waits at the lights and dangerous speeds currently discourage many people from walking. Let’s Get Welly Walking!”

Ms Wade-Brown adds “Committing to a safe crossing of SH1 at Cobham Drive is really important to people who use the Indoor Sports Centre and makes a welcome connection to the Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke. Modern high volume mass transit will complement a more walkable city and reduce pollution of particulates and greenhouse gases.”

Ellen Blake, Living Streets Wellington co-ordinator and National Vice President, adds “The details of the plan are still vague but more pedestrian priority and widening footpaths are excellent outcomes. Let’s make Wellington walkable for people from 5 to 95. We urge the parties to move with urgency so people’s wellbeing is improved. Climate stability action like this is urgent.”

People on foot make a considerable contribution to the economy, especially to retail and food outlets.[1]

Research shows daily physical activity is essential for physical and mental health and that we aren’t getting enough.[2]

Living Streets Aotearoais actively working around the country to share projects and programmes to increase walkable access to public transport and children’s ability to safely walk to school and play at the second NZ Walking Summit in Auckland on 20 –21 June. Living Streets also leads a coalition of eleven organisations Footpaths for Feet to keep footpaths clear of a range of parked or moving vehicles.

Background

Living Streets Aotearoa is the New Zealand organisation for people on foot, promoting walking-friendly communities. We are a nationwide organisation with local branches and affiliates throughout New Zealand.

1 The Auckland Business Case for Walking http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2017/08/CEN_20170823_AGN_7016_AT_files/CEN_20170823_AGN_7016_AT_Attachment_55166_1.PDF

2 Turning the Tide from Cars to Active Transport https ://www.otago.ac.nz/active-living/otago710135.pdf

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