1. Walkers are Welcome towns
A bottom-up community based initiative
For towns to demonstrate they have something special for walkers
Economic and social benefits

2. Walkers are Welcome towns
Originally developed in Hebden Bridge
Six criteria to meet
Self-accreditation (no external assessment body!)
Economic and social benefits
Four towns (so far…) have met criteria…

3. Walkers are Welcome towns
Four towns have met the criteria:
Hebden Bridge (Feb 2007)
Moffat (April 2007)
Prestatyn (launch Oct 2007)
Mytholmroyd (Oct 2007)

4. Walkers are Welcome towns
The criteria:
1 Demonstration of popular local support
(EG via a petition)
2 Formal endorsement by local council
(Town/parish council, district council, met/county)
3 Action to ensure rights of way are in good condition
(EG commitment to walk paths, report problems)

5. Walkers are Welcome towns
The criteria:
Adequate marketing of WaW status
(no point otherwise!)
Encouragement of public transport
Mechanisms in place to maintain WaW status
(a concept sustainable in longer term)

6. Walkers are Welcome towns
The potential:
Rural/ market town regeneration
Tourism development
Government’s health agenda: walking for health
Green agenda: promoting public transport etc

7. Walkers are Welcome towns
Issues to face:
Protecting the ‘brand’ (quality etc)
Confirming the criteria
Developing the ‘brand’ (more towns!)
Putting in place UK structures
Maximising opportunities to learn from each other

8. Walkers are Welcome towns
Towards a successful UK-wide development!