Local residents and visitors to the city are being encouraged to vote for Brighton & Hove for Britain's Best Walking Neighbourhood Award 2019.
Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Nancy Platts, said: “It is fantastic that our city has been shortlisted for this award, which is recognition of everyone’s valuable work to promote walking as a great way to get around the city. Let’s get voting and sharing on social media to give us the best chance of winning!”
Making the shortlist
Announcing the finalists, The Ramblers stated that the city was shortlisted because of its great access to green space and the seafront and specifically the strong community engagement in making its streets lively and full of events, art, things to see and places to go.
The famous seafront promenades and undercliff walks provide 13km of off-road walking for residents and visitors and 40% of the city is within the South Downs National Park. We also boast around 147 parks including heritage parks, playing fields and green spaces. Of our major parks, seven have been awarded Green Flags by the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign.
Improving the pedestrian experience
The Ramblers also recognised Brighton & Hove City Council’s efforts to improve and enhance the pedestrian experience around the city. This includes introducing calm traffic measures and a network of 20mph zones, which means that walkers and cyclists feel much safer to travel around the city centre.
Shared spaces in the city centre
The development of New Road, which lies at the heart of the city's cultural hub, has also made it easier to walk from the bustling North Laine shopping area to the Pavilion and onto the famous Palace Pier, just a short walk away.
It was one of the first 'shared space' streets in England where cars are welcome but pedestrians have priority. Creating this shared space has led to a significant reduction in traffic levels, an increase in walkers and more people spending time there for leisure.
A successful wayfinding system
Additionally, the city’s successful wayfinding system offers signage and general walking directions around the city and between interchange points, to help people travel around. The signage also directs people to the lesser known areas of the city.
An award winning Healthwalks scheme
The council’s award winning and volunteer-led Healthwalks scheme offers 18 regular walks around the city. Since it was introduced 17 years ago, participants have walked over 250,000 miles – the equivalent of walking to the moon and back.
Investing in sustainable, active travel
Improving people’s health and well-being is also a key objective of our Local Transport Plan, which has ensured continued investment across a range of transport projects that provide for and promote sustainable, active travel.
The next year will see the development of a Local Walking & Cycling Infrastructure Plan to further enhance the city’s offer to pedestrians and cyclists.
Enhancing public spaces
Major improvement project Valley Gardens, which is currently under construction, will enhance the public realm in the city centre. Providing widened footways and simplified crossings will make it much easier for pedestrians to travel through a central area of the city, while new paths in the area’s public spaces will make it a much nicer place to walk through.
Vote for Brighton & Hove
Every vote counts, so give Brighton & Hove the best chance of winning by encouraging your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to cast their votes.
Voting is open until 30 June with the winner set to be announced on 10 July.