Transport for London
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Maps made for walking

It's ten years since the distinctive blue and yellow Legible London signs started appearing on the Capital's streets.

Now special edition maps have been launched to celebrate this decade of walking in the city.

The guides, for Brixton, Old Street and North Bank, have eye-catching covers by illustrator Matt Blease whose design puts little feet on the letters of each title. The maps are packed with fun facts about walking and the local area, and also include a scale so people can work out distances that can be walked in five minutes.

They will help people living and working in the Capital, as well as visitors, to walk regularly. The maps comes just a month after Public Health England released figures showing that millions of people across the UK still don't walk the recommended amount each month.

Analysis also shows that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day, it would save the NHS £1.7bn in treatment costs over the next 25 years.

The maps have been produced by TfL in partnership with businesses in Brixton, Old Street and North Bank. Walking and Cycling commissioner, Will Norman, said he wants to create healthier streets where walking and cycling is an easy and obvious choice for everyone: 'Legible London helps people find out for themselves how easy and fun it can be getting around and exploring the capital on foot. And by helping Londoners find their way around, it encourages more people to make walking a part of their everyday lives.'

  • Copies of the maps can be collected from Brixton, Old Street, Embankment, Temple and Charing Cross Tube stations

Sign of the times

Legible London signs and maps can be found on the streets across the Capital, at Tube and rail stations, in bus shelters and at cycle hire docking stations.

There are more than 1,700 wayfinding signs in the city and, in line with the Mayor's draft Transport Strategy, TfL is working with boroughs, businesses and other partners to install more.

The aim is to get 80% of people walking, cycling and using public transport in the city by 2041. Currently, the figure is 64%. It would mean there would be around 3 million fewer car journeys in London every day.

Get walking

Walking is a great way to stay healthy and see the city, plus it could be quicker than you think.

The good news is that just two, 10-minute walks a day can keep you fit. You'll sleep better, feel more relaxed, and significantly reduce the risk of developing a range of health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Using public transport is a great way to build some walking into your day and people who regularly use public transport are more likely to get the activity they need to stay healthy.

 

Channel website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

Original article link: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/news-articles/maps-made-for-walking

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