Conditions to be met in becoming a WALKERS ARE WELCOME town

Please remember that, to be successful, the push for WALKERS ARE WELCOME status must come from the community itself.  It should be a ‘bottom-up’ initiative, not something to be introduced by external agencies or organisations, no matter how well-intentioned!

1.  Demonstration of popular local support for the concept. 
Demonstrated, for example,  by signatures of local residents collected on a petition.  Recommended minimum support:  50 signatures (small village), 250 signatures (small town), 500 signatures (larger community).

New: Here is an example of a petition, as used in Church Stretton. You are welcome to adapt it for your own use.

2.  Formal endorsement of application for WALKERS ARE WELCOME status by local council
Demonstrated by the local council (unitary, district and/or town council) passing a resolution in support;  allocating responsibility for WALKERS ARE WELCOME to a member of staff or committee; making small budget available

3.  Action to ensure that rights of way are maintained in good condition
This can be demonstrated by the local council and/or voluntary group making a commitment to ensuring that all paths in parish are walked at least once a year;  that any obstacles are removed promptly.

4.  Adequate marketing of WALKERS ARE WELCOME status
This can be demonstrated in a number of ways:  press coverage; signs/map in the centre of town advising casual visitors of walks they could undertake;  at least two waymarked walks starting from town centre;  leaflets readily available;  local shops encouraged to display WALKERS ARE WELCOME stickers

5.  Encouragement of walking using public transport
This can be demonstrated, for example, by including clear public transport advice on marketing leaflets

6.  Demonstration of mechanisms in place to maintain WALKERS ARE WELCOME status
This can be demonstrated by the creation of a local WALKERS ARE WELCOME steering group or Advisory Board

New: Constitution of the Advisory Board for Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. You may adapt for your own use.