More than 200 local residents completed a recent survey by Walk Alton, seeking guidance from the community on the group’s focus areas for 2021. The short survey requested participants to select from a list of activities/issues according to what they think Walk Alton should prioritise. The list was as follows:
A. Promoting existing walking groups in Alton and the villages
B. Providing accurate information to the public about using rights of way, the Countryside Code, hazards in the countryside, etc.
C. Providing information and briefing on the use of Ordnance Survey maps both for planning walks and to increase confidence when walking in the countryside
D. Promoting physical and mental wellbeing through walking and outdoor recreation
E. Offering its own guided walks
F. Promoting and supporting the annual Alton Walking Festival
G. Setting up links between Alton and other Walkers are Welcome towns
H. Promoting walking in the countryside by encouraging and facilitating the use of public transport to the start/finish of walks, thus cutting back on car use
I. Working closely with other local groups such as Cycle Alton and the Alton Climate Action Network to promote eco-friendly outdoor exercise

Four key priorities were identified in the survey responses, namely: promoting existing walking groups, promoting physical and mental wellbeing through walking, promoting and supporting the Alton Walking Festival, and providing accurate information to the public about using rights of way, the Countryside Code, hazards in the countryside, etc. A number of other ideas, comments, and supportive messages were also received, which the group is still digesting! They are  very grateful to all those who participated and shared the survey, which has given them a very clear roadmap for the year ahead.

Plans are already being formed for ways Walk Alton can fulfill this ‘mandate’, with a number of new communication initiatives in the pipeline, some ideas for future campaigns to get Alton walking, as well as proposals to better support and work with other local interest groups. All this should hopefully take shape over the next few months and they are  looking forward to sharing their successes (and failures!) as they  go.