Market Deeping Town and Deeping St James Parish Council's push to encourage walking is 'highly commended' in the Transport Planning Society Awards

A push to encourage walking around the Deepings has been ‘highly commended’ by transport planners.

Market Deeping Town Council and Deeping St James Parish Council have adopted the ‘Deepings Green Walk ‘standard’ through the Neighbourhood Plan.

This means new footpaths have to be ‘safe, accessible. attractive, and rationally linked to existing routes.’

The project also plans to create the Deepings Green Walk- a 15km circuit to connect local facilities, housing and green spaces.

Trees have already been planted, a new footbridge created over the River Welland and traffic calming installed on some roads.

Deepings resident Pam Byrd, who leads the project said: “We’re keen to ensure that new developments adopt the standard that we’ve set in order to create acessible pathways and encourage people to walk.

“Our target is to be a walking town. By being a walking neighbourhood, we are promoting a healthy lifestyle.”

The recognition came during the national Transport Planning Society Awards on Wednesday nigh, run by the professional body for transport planners in the UK.

Stephen Joseph, transport policy expert and judge, said award entries were developed with the community and helped the local economy and quality of life.

Click here to read more of the latest news.