Transport for London (TfL) and London Living Streets have launched the Central London Footways map, which will be distributed free to Londoners.
The printed map and design concept – developed by Urban Good – provides a new information about walking in the capital and will support Londoners and visitors to walk longer distances on everyday trips. The physical, free map is available at several central London locations, which can be found online at www.footways.london alongside more information about the network.
As London continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, TfL is expanding opportunities for those keen to incorporate more walking into their daily routines. The Streetspace for London Plan has introduced more than 22,500 square metres of temporary extra pavement space, making it easy to maintain safe social distancing while walking through the capital.
Central London Footways will make sure Londoners and visitors make the most of these transformations by prompting people to choose walking as the most enjoyable way to get from A to B, with walking journeys often quicker than expected. Walking is also the cheapest way to travel and is great for physical and mental wellbeing, as well as London’s environment, says London Living Streets.
Central London Footways is a network of routes connecting London’s mainline railway stations, popular destinations and green spaces with the capital’s most welcome, appealing and accessible streets.
The map highlights an extensive number of routes across the city, serving as a reminder that many 20- or 30-minute walks across central London take just a few minutes longer than a journey on public transport.
“Walking is a fantastic way to explore our city as well as being good for your mental and physical health, so I am delighted that TfL has linked up with London Living Streets to deliver this new Footways map. We are determined to avoid a damaging car-led recovery from the pandemic in the capital, so it is great to see new initiatives being developed that promote the benefits of walking and complement our world-leading Streetspace Plan,” said Will Norman, Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner
Christina Calderato, Head of Transport Strategy and Planning at TfL, said: “We’re proud to join London Living Streets in introducing the new Footways map, which is a beautifully illustrated guide to all that London has to offer. These quiet and accessible routes highlight just how easy and surprisingly quick it is to explore our city on foot.
“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve been reminded of the value of our health, and walking is ideal for giving both our mental and physical health a welcome boost. Encouraging more people to introduce more walking into their daily routine will also be vital for improving air quality and reducing congestion, making London a nicer place to live for all.”
Emma Griffin, London Living Streets, said: “In 1854, nine years before the arrival of the Underground, 400,000 people walked into and out of the City of London every day. These walks weren’t the final leg of a journey from a mainline station, or within the centre: they were the entire commute. Londoners still love to walk, of course, but we walk much shorter distances than our predecessors. The Footways routes, that are both convenient and enjoyable, will ensure longer walks become an everyday habit again.”
