Pendle to Parliament

Author and hiker Nick Burton is off on a walking adventure from East Lancashire to the Houses of Parliament.

Nick Burton is a former rights of way officer and ranger who now works as a community physical activity instructor at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Following only footpaths and bridleways Nick hopes to present a walkers petition to the government urging them to invest in getting Britain walking more. It will take place in mid-June and will take approximately two weeks to complete.

The walkers’ petition to Parliament is based on the Ramblers’ ‘Manifesto For A Walking Britain’ which sets out a strong case for walking. He says,

“Our public rights of way network is the key to encouraging sustainable travel, tackling obesity, boosting rural economies and improving the physical and mental wellbeing of the nation”.

Nick will only be following footpaths and bridleways and no roads highlighting the importance of England and Wales’s historic paths at a time when public sector cuts have drastically reduced funding to maintain the public rights of way network.

Blackburn with Darwen Connect which aims to promote sustainable transport in the Borough is also helping to get more people into walking by having Walk to Work days, lunch time walks and health walks.

Councillor Phil Riley Executive Member for Regeneration said,

“Nicks walk from Clitheroe to the Houses of Parliament will highlight the importance of the public rights of way and how it is vital that these don’t disappear as a result of public spending.”

“I think Nick will be a good inspiration to people who are looking to walk more whether this is walking to work, for leisure or to improve your health.”

You can follow Nick’s walk and show your support for protecting our rights of way via the ‘Pendle to Parliament’ Facebook page or via Twitter @pendle2parl