Survey aims to improve walking routes across Three Rivers

An ambitious survey of walking routes around Three Rivers has been launched with the aim of improving the experience of walking in the district.

People are being invited to take part in the Community Streets Audit by Three Rivers District Council to find out what residents and visitors think works well, and what can be improved for walkers.

The council is conducting the audit in partnership with national charity Living Streets  – which has been campaigning for better streets over the past 90 years, as well as running the largest national Walk to School Campaign.

Cllr Paul Rainbow, Lead Member Transport and Economic Development, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to find out exactly what people think of certain areas of the district, with a view to doing what we can to make those areas better walking experiences. We would like to hear from people who live in, work in and visit the area. If you are interested there are a number of ways to get involved – by filling out our survey or by joining a group of walkers and helping on a street survey.”

Proposed ‘Walking Zones’ will be surveyed over the summer by Living Streets and groups of local volunteers to produce assessments of the quality of the walking environment in areas including Abbots Langley, Chorleywood, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth and South Oxhey.

Community Street Audits are a method for evaluating the quality of public space –streets, housing estates, parks, and squares – from the viewpoint of the people who use it most. The surveys will result in recommendations for change, action and improvement to inform new highway schemes and local streetscape improvements to make local towns better for everyone to walk around.

Easier access to town centres and retail parades will be enabled by identifying physical and other barriers to access for people walking, using passenger transport or walking from car parks to visit shops and services.

Views can be shared by taking part in an online survey before 30 September: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WalkingThreeRivers   

See details below and take part in a walk and give your views:

• Abbots Langley Tuesday, 9 August - 11am outside the library
• Croxley Green Wednesday, 17 August - 11am outside the train station
• Rickmansworth Wednesday, 17 August - 2pm outside the train station
• Chorleywood Wednesday, 24 August - 11 am corner of Whitelands Avenue/Shire Lane (outside shops)

For further information contact: Sian.Stanton@livingstreets.org.uk  or Neelam.Bhardwaj@livingstreets.org.uk