There’s room for all
Charlie Bullough looks at the Ramblers’ calls for quicker access to green space
Millions have enjoyed walking during lockdown but a newreport reveals the grass isn’t greener for everyone.
Walking charity the Ramblers found that interest in taking a stroll in nature has soared during the pandemic. But those in our most deprived communities are less likely to live near green spaces and parks.
Their study ‘The grass isn’t greener for everyone: Why access to green space matters’ discovered people from bame (Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic) backgrounds and those on low incomes are less likely to have good access to verdant places.
To address this gap, the Ramblers is calling onthe Government to set national targets for access to nature in the Environment bill. It wants them to guarantee that no one lives more than five minutes’ walk from a green space.
Gemma cantelo, head of policy and advocacy for the Ramblers said :“walking in nature- filled green spaces makes us happier and healthier and during lockdown our local green spaces gave us places to walk, connect with nature, and destress. The restrictions of lock down have made us appreciate our green spaces more than ever, and many of us plan to continue walking more in the future, for our health and well being as well as to get from a tob; but not everyone experienced lockdown equally.
“We need to build on this new momentum and learn the lessons highlighted by the pandemic– people want to visit green spaces on their doorstep where they can be active and enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature. Our towns and cities should be designed to make this a reality, with nature-filled green spaces linked by safe, easy-to-follow walking routes. The Environment bill couldn’t be more timely andthe government needs to take this unique opportunity to put access to nature at the heart of it.”
The ramblers’ report follows on from research by the Office for national statistics in May which highlighted that oneineight British households has nogarden. And Black people in England are nearly four times as likely as White people to have no outdoor space at home.
The ramblers and you gov poll sampled2,012 Gbadults about wheretheylive, their attitude to walking andnature, andwhetherthis hadchanged duetocovid-19.
It foundthat green spaces are important to almost everyone. The top reason at 78 per cent wastheyareagood place to walk.
But only 57 per cent of Gbadults said they lived within fiveminutes’ walk of green space, beit alocal park, nearby field or canal path. That figurefell to just 39 per cent for people froma Ba me background and 46 per cent among allgb adults with a household income of under £15,000. Those with a household income over £35,000 and over £70,000 polled 63 per cent and70percent, respectively.
Dranjanakhatwa, earth scientist and ramblers member, has experienced both sides of the nature gap. She said :“I grew up in the heart of Slough and as a child my experience of nature was limited to the local park andtheschool playing field. Todayi live in rural Dorset andwalkinginthe landscape is anessential part of mylife; it is critical to my health andwellbeing.
“Having worked in the natural heritage sector for over 20 years, I am deeply aware of the inequity of access to natural spaces for Black andasian communities and those living in deprivation. The heavy visitation to rural andcoastal spaces oncelockdownwas lifted, demonstrated to me that our under served communities crave to be in spaces rich with natural capital. Imagine a world where you could leave your city centre flat andwithinfive minutes bewalking through a field of wildflowers buzzing with wildlife. This is whatwe are asking the Governmentto include in the Environment Bill. Torecognise that every person, no matter where they live, has a human right to access green spaces that allows them to connect with nature andtheir landscape.”
The ramblers believe nature is important to our health andquality of life. Theyalso point to the economicbenefit, as more than £2 billion every year could besaved in health costs alone if everyone had goodaccess to green space – a result of increased physical activity.
One of the case studies in the report is Terry Vincent wholovesto walksurrounded bynature. Shesaid: “Welive in a flat in a built-uparea, and we’ve noprivate garden, but it’s still lovely because wehave access to two nature reserves within a few minutes’ walk– proximity is everything when youdon’t drive andthere’s minimalpublic transport.
“It’s when i’ m outdoors and away from machine noises that I feel my connection to the wholeplanet most.”
Thecharity feels quick access to suchplaces should be backed by legally binding targets, similar to those being proposed around biodiversity, air and water quality and waste reduction.
It believes the Environmentbill is the mostimportant piece of green legislation for ageneration andit doesn’t wantthis opportunity to be missed.
Thereport concludes: “We’ re calling on the government to learn the lessons of lock down and put people’ s access to nature at the heart of the Environmentbill.”
‘ I am deeply aware of the inequity of access to natural spaces for Black and Asian communities and those living in deprivation’
Dr Anjana Khatwa,