“LET’S GET BRITAIN WALKING!” says Stunell

"You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?!"

Andrew Stunell MP has thrown his weight behind the Ramblers' campaign to build a Walking Britain and Stockport Council's support of the 'Walk to Work week' which runs from 12^th-16^th May.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell MP said -

"I helped launch the Ramblers' Walking Britain campaign in Westminster, and it's great that Stockport is backing 'Walk to Work Week' in support."

"Walking has real and direct health benefits, quite apart from the money you save and the congestion you miss. I'm lucky - I can walk to work in London when I'm down there, and walk to my office in Romiley when I'm back home, so I do practice what I preach!"

"The Ramblers are aiming to get real progress made by the next government in supporting walking, and to see the value of walking recognised by councils, too. I've told them that as the Liberal Democrats draw up our plans for next year's General Election I will be working for us to include policies which will deliver the benefits that walking can offer, and help build a healthier happier Britain."

Stockport Council and Andrew Stunell MP are supporting the 'Walk to Work Week', which runs from 12^th to 16^th May, by urging all Stockport residents to make walking part of their daily commute.

People wanting to take part in 'Walk to Work Week' can log their walks on the Living Streets website, www.livingstreets.org.uk, and see calories burnt, CO₂ saved and compete against other people.

National Travel Survey results published in December 2012 showed a 24% decline in the number of walking trips per person since the mid-90s. Physical inactivity now rivals smoking as a leading risk factor for global mortality.

Nicky Philpott, Ramblers Director of Policy and Campaigns, said -

"We'd like to thank Andrew Stunell for joining us to talk about how we can build a walking Britain."

"Walking offers an effective, low-cost solution to many of the problems we face. It's good for our mental and physical health and therefore reduces healthcare costs, it supports local economies and it's good for the environment and your local neighbourhood."

In order to build a walking Britain, the Ramblers is calling for the Government to help promote an active, healthy lifestyle, protect the places people walk and improve access to the outdoors.