Schemes to encourage cycling and walking are to be included in a £30M package ‘Healthy towns’ package.
The healthy towns – Dudley, Halifax (Calderdale), Sheffield, Tower Hamlets, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth – are part of a new coalition called Change4Life, which is backed by government, food retailers, charities and community groups.
The nine towns will help residents live healthily through a holistic approach to promoting physical activity, both in the community and the infrastructure of the town.
The plans include a ‘Cycle recycle’ project in Thetford, to help people cycle more and maintain their bikes; a new urban garden in Tewkesbury to help keep residents fit and rebuild green spaces in the wake of last year’s floods; and new signage to help walkers, runners or cyclists time themselves when exercising in Portsmouth.
Health minister, Alan Johnson, said: ‘For the first time, we’ve given nine areas Healthy town status. ‘This means they must promote healthy living. Each town has come up with innovative ways – such as loyalty schemes or cycling projects – to help their residents to be more active.’
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