An extensive new report, commissioned by the Ramblers and written by the New Economics Foundation, breaks new ground in understanding the neighbourhood-level availability of paths and the critical infrastructure of nature access. For the first time ever, it has been made possible to analyse the correlations between where the path network is with national-level data sources on the environment, socioeconomics, and health to better understand the value of the network to people and places.
The report finds that our network of paths holds the key to significant physical and mental health benefits. Using established wellbeing valuation techniques, it has been calculated that the network’s usage adds over 3,000 healthy years of life to the nation, worth an estimated wellbeing value of £2billion, over £33 per person in England and Wales – the cost of 8.5 million ambulance call outs or nearly 10 million outpatient procedures. However, the communities that would benefit most from greater access to nature are missing out.
The report also explores the topic of who has access to these paths; the conditions that some paths are in; and the Ramblers recommendations on what actions might best expand the social and health benefits that walking in nature brings. If sufficient awareness is raised of these issues the impact of this research could provide a wealth of positive change; providing greater walking opportunities for all and in turn, improved health and social outcomes.
Source: Ramblers