Concerns over slow pace of plans to get people walking
More than a year after its launch, scheme’s details are not published
WITH the memory of the Commonwealth Games fast receding, there are fears the momentum behind the strategy launched last year to get more Scots walking is being lost.
The National Walking Strategy was unveiled in June last year more than a month before the Games opened in Glasgow.
It was billed as being an important element in Legacy 2014, “our chance to ensure that all of Scotland benefits from the Commonwealth Games and everyone is inspired to be more active”.
It was launched by the Scottish Government and the local authorities body Cosla with the commitment to “create a Scotland where everyone benefits from walking as part of their everyday journeys, enjoys walking in the outdoors and where places are well-designed to encourage walking”.
The then Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said at the time that with Scotland ranked among those countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with the highest obesity levels, a real shift in culture to make physical activity a routine, normal part of everyday lives was required.
The strategy is to encompass everything from walking through the spectacular scenery of the Highlands and Islands to strolling in public parks; or going down to the shops; and from sauntering along urban paths to tacking the long-distance route networks embracing the likes of the West Highland Way and the new John Muir Way. It is to build on the access rights established in land reform legislation.
But now more than a year on there is still no sign of the “action plan” which was commissioned to deliver the strategy. This concerns the likes of Ramblers Scotland which ran a walking initiative called Get Outdoors.
Jess Dolan, director of Ramblers Scotland, said: “We are huge supporters of the government’s National Walking Strategy and hope to play a substantial role in the delivery of the strategy over the coming years.
“We are eager to ensure momentum from the Commonwealth Games is not lost and we urge the government to publish its action plan as soon as possible so we can all start to deliver this strategy.
“Any further delay could mean the legacy of 2014 will no longer resonate with people as an incentive to be more active in their daily lives, particularly through walking more.”
She said Scotland’s beautiful mountains, coastline, woodlands and parks were great incentives to get out of doors, whatever the weather. Evidence is growing that being active in the natural environment is particularly good for our health and well-being, and walking is one of the main activities that tourists enjoy when they come to Scotland,” she said.
“Visitors also bring welcome benefits to the rural economy. It’s time this strategic plan was published, to ensure that the massive potential for increasing physical activity across the whole of Scotland is harnessed.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the action plan was being developed by the charity Paths for All, on behalf of the Scottish Government along with a range of lead organisations including Ramblers Scotland.
“A final version is due to be presented to the National Walking Strategy delivery forum when they meet in the autumn,” she said. Meanwhile there is evidence that more tourists are walking in Scotland.
VisitScotland has released figures that show that last year 4.3 million walks were made by visitors from elsewhere in the UK and those Scots holidaying at home – up from four million in 2012.