84% of Britons say "access to nature should be a basic right" yet millions remain locked out - Ramblers
New research from the Ramblers shows overwhelming public support for access to nature yet millions of Brits are being locked out of nature by a “shameful web of barriers”.
The Ramblers is accusing governments of failing to support and grow Britain’s love of walking outdoors, with a new poll finding that 84% of adults think access to nature should be a basic right.
The charity says decades of political inaction has led to far too many blocked and unusable paths, missing signs and a shocking lack of access to green space – sometimes leaving entire communities without the chance to enjoy healthy walks from their doorstep.
Tom Platt at the Ramblers said: “People across Britain overwhelmingly believe that access to nature should be a basic right, yet for millions it remains out of reach due to a shameful web of barriers. Local paths are lifelines. They connect people with green space, fresh air, and better mental and physical health. Right now, we need those things more than ever, which is why we’re launching our new Access Denied campaign to mobilise our hundreds of thousands of supporters to call for urgent political action.”
A nation divided from nature
The charity highlights how stark inequalities across each nation in Britain means millions of people can’t enjoy a simple walk in nature.
- In England, more than 1 in 4 adults don’t have green space within 15 minutes’ walk.
- In Scotland, the wealthiest communities have access to twice as many paths as the least well-off communities.
- In Wales, half of all paths are blocked, not signposted or both.
The Ramblers has today (Monday 30 March) launched its new campaign, Access Denied, calling on governments to tear down the obstacles preventing people from walking in nature to address these inequalities.