The National Walking Strategy Craig McLaren Director, RTPI Scotland Chair, National Walking Strategy Delivery Forum

Physical inactivity costs the NHS. An inactive person spends 37% more days in hospital and visits the doctor 5.5% more often. The cost to the NHS of physical inactivity was estimated in 2007 at between £1billion and £1.8billion. Physical inactivity costs the wider economy. The costs of physical inactivity were estimated in 2007 at £5.5billion in sickness absence, and £1billion in pre-mature deaths. Including NHS costs, this totals £8.3billion, or £10billion in today’s prices.

7 Scots a day die because of inactivity = 2,500 a year Kills more people than obesity or alcohol excess. Can help prevent and treat more than 20 chronic diseases Getting Scotland fit would increase life expectancy by more than a year due to our high prevalence of inactivity

FIRST STEPS….

CURRENT STEPS….

Process Stakeholder workshop Draft action plan Consultation Assessment Testing Final Action Plan Delivery Forum

Emerging principles COMMITMENT Cross party support in Parliament cross departmental support (national and local level) / agency / NGO To enable local travel and health behaviour change Organisations and businesses INTEGRATION Development plans Community Planning/ SOAs National, strategic and local transport strategies National and local economic development RESOURCES Nationally Locally Creatively Preventative

A Scotland where… everyone walks as part of their everyday journeys places are well designed for walking everyone enjoys walking in the outdoors Value People Place Infra structure

VALUE Value and benefits of walking Measure and communicate progress Assess resources and future funding Assess current legislative frameworks Other strategies

PEOPLE Resources for walking Health and Care Service providers Shift from driving Workplace initiatives Schools Youth organisations

PLACES Walking networks Environment Planning and placemaking Greenspaces, paths and parks Public access

INFRASTRUCTURE Pedestrian priority Landscape and public realm Pedestrian safety Footway conditions and maintenance

NEXT STEPS….

Continued analysis and testing Publish Action Plan Establish Champions/ Delivery Forum National Strategic Group on Sport and Physical Activity Deliver Promote walking – think walking – think pedestrian Monitor, report and review