A community rail project plans to help people increase their steps for health and wellbeing, while cutting their carbon footprint.
The Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership has created 12 new self-guided walks to help people get outdoors and discover their local area this autumn.
Each walk starts and ends at a rail station to help cut the congestion, pollution and carbon emissions to create an environmentally friendly and healthy day out.
The walks are free to download at www.esscrp.org.uk.
Community Rail Partnership Engagement Manager, Jayne Sumner, said: “We’re pleased to have completed this project which offers a safe and environmentally-friendly route to the great outdoors and interesting attractions of south Suffolk and Essex.
“Taking the train and walking is a great way to visit some of these beautiful locations as you can benefit your health and the environment at the same time – sit back, relax and enjoy the views as you travel and avoid the congestion, pollution and parking issues that go with driving your car.”
Martin Moran, Greater Anglia’s Commercial, Customer Service and Train Presentation Director, said: “Rail is a much greener way to travel and makes for the perfect day out that, literally, doesn’t cost the earth. Grab a bargain Advance fare and enjoy the area’s beautiful scenery and attractions without the stress and pollution caused by sitting in traffic.”
The walks vary in length between 3 and 10 miles and offer something for everyone – families, people new to walking and those who regularly walk. All the walks start at a railway station and either end at a different railway station or a return via a circular walk.
The ‘Planning Your Walk’ section details the suggested time the walk will take, a map reference, useful information and where to find refreshment.
The walks are all based around the Community Rail Partnership’s branch lines in Essex and south Suffolk – the Colchester – Clacton-On-Sea, Frinton on Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze Sunshine Coast Line, the Manningtree – Harwich Mayflower Line, the Southminster -Wickford Crouch Valley Line, the Shenfield – Southend Line, the Witham – Braintree Flitch Line and the Marks Tey – Sudbury Gainsborough Line.
The Essex and South Suffolk Community rail partnership works with Greater Anglia, Essex County Council and other local organisations to help keep rural rail lines thriving for the benefit of local communities.
Greater Anglia has put in place extensive additional hygiene measures across its network, paying particular attention to sanitising high touch areas such as push buttons, door handles and grab rails to help passengers travel with confidence and keep them safe.
The company is using powerful cleaning equipment to attack germs on trains and stations, has recruited extra cleaners and is carrying out hygiene tests on train interiors.
Signs, markings and barriers have been put up at stations to make it easier for passengers to socially distance, with one-way systems installed at some stations.
Extra people are being deployed to help at stations used by young people travelling to school or college, to help them travel safely, by observing social distancing and wearing face coverings.
Passengers must wear a face covering on Greater Anglia stations and trains, unless they are exempt, and are reminded to wash or sanitise their hands regularly and never to travel with Covid-19 symptoms.
Hand sanitiser is available at staffed stations – with a donation made to NHS charities for each litre of sanitiser used.
Photo credit: Greater Anglia
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