Study Reveals Disparities in Access to Public Footpaths in England and Wales

According to a recent study published by the Ramblers, the old, white, wealthy, and healthy population in England and Wales have significantly greater access to public footpaths in their local neighborhoods compared to poorer and ethnically diverse communities. The research shows that the whitest areas enjoy 144% more local footpaths than the most ethnically diverse areas, and the most affluent parts of the countries have 80% more local paths. These local paths are defined as within a 10-minute walk of the area.

The study analyzed over 140,000 miles of public rights of way and revealed a lack of public footpaths in communities that could benefit the most from the associated public health improvements. Additionally, fewer footpaths are being included near modern housing estates. The provision of public footpaths near new housing has gradually declined since the 1970s, with housing estates built in the 1990s having 19% more local footpaths than those built in the 21st century.

The worst five local authority areas for public footpath provision in England and Wales are Norwich, North East Lincolnshire, Liverpool, Southampton, and Blackpool, while Rossendale, Stroud, Monmouthshire, Malvern Hills, and Calderdale boast the best provision.

The study highlighted that people in Norwich have on average just 129 meters of public rights of way within a 10-minute walk from where they live, whereas in Rossendale, people enjoy an average of 9,232 meters of footpaths within the same proximity. Liverpool Riverside and Cardiff Central were identified as the worst parliamentary constituencies for public paths.

The Ramblers, a walking charity, aims to address the inequalities of access to public paths. They are campaigning for the reinstatement of “lost” rights of way and the protection of existing paths. The organization also calls for the creation of new paths, particularly to connect new developments to green countryside and town centers, as well as the establishment of green urban corridors in busy cities. These measures aim to encourage walking and make public spaces more accessible. The Ramblers has set a 2026 deadline for the registration of “lost” public paths.

The study conducted by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) suggests that addressing access disparities could be achieved by accurately recording and protecting public rights of way. If public paths had been fully registered and protected over the past eight decades, every community would have, on average, 38% more local public paths today. The study estimates that the most deprived communities in England and Wales would benefit from approximately 63% more paths in their local areas.

The NEF analysis further reveals the potential health benefits of increasing the average length of paths in a neighborhood. Doubling the length of paths would result in an additional 78.5 million walks in nature annually across England and Wales. However, to achieve this, the study estimates that the government would need to invest an additional £650 million each year (£12 per person) to expand the path network and address access inequalities.

The Ramblers is calling for stronger planning rules that require footpath provision around new housing developments, as well as investment to improve and make existing paths more accessible. A YouGov survey conducted for the Ramblers shows that 56% of people with disabilities do not use public footpaths due to physical barriers. The organization also highlights the presence of numerous stiles in fields that have not seen cattle for decades.

The call for investment in public footpaths is well-received, as 71% of nearly 5,000 adults surveyed by YouGov believe that more resources should be allocated to the network of public paths.

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