PRESS RELEASE
Feedback sought on walking routes in New Milton
With the aim of making it easier to walk to popular community facilities such as schools and the railway station, New Milton Town Council have surveyed and now completed improvements to four walking routes. Before further routes are surveyed, the community is invited to give feedback on these initial routes.
Health and wellbeing is a core theme in New Milton’s Neighbourhood Plan with the need for better walking and cycling routes being identified. The Green Routes project group was set up to explore potential walking routes to key destinations.
It is hoped that this initiative, through making it easier to walk and leave the car behind, will deliver benefits to good health and positive wellbeing.
A map and overview of each route is provided with a questionnaire which asks the public to say when they use the routes, how often, and what would encourage them to walk more, as well as suggestions for other walking routes for the project group’s consideration.
The questionnaire is available online at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OI1HGZ/ with paper copies available next week from New Milton Library, New Milton Town Hall, New Milton Memorial Hall, and New Milton Community Centre.
The closing date for responses is 30 March 2022.
The survey results will be reviewed by the Town Council’s Green Routes project group enabling consideration of improvements and enhancements as necessary. The group will share the results via the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan website pages at www.newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan-2016-36/
Cllr Geoff Blunden, Chairman of Amenities Committee and the Green Routes Working Party said “We are fortunate to have an extensive network of footpaths which provide easy access to key destinations across the parish. Many of these provide beautiful and interesting walks from the coast across New Milton to the forest. We are seeking your help in guiding the council on improvements to encourage their greater use. We all know the benefits of how good walking and cycling helps in keeping fit.”
Further details available from:
Joanna Hayward
Communications & Community Engagement Officer
New Milton Town Council
Tel: 01425 619120
Dated: 4 March 2022
Links:
New Milton Neighbourhood Plan www.newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan-2016-36/
Green Routes Survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OI1HGZ/