Ditch the car and hit the shop on foot (From Campaign Series)

Ditch the car and hit the shop on foot

8:38am Friday 30th March 2007

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Residents of Caerphilly are being urged to ditch their cars and walk to the local shop as part of a new drive designed to get people involved in tackling climate change and boost their health.

Experts say that the adult population of Caerphilly could shed over 850 tons of body weight between them if everybody in the area went for a brisk 30-minute walk at least five times a week.

With spring approaching, the Welsh Assembly Government is keen to see more people pull on their walking shoes and start making local journeys on foot as often as possible, as part of a new 'Corner Shop Challenge'.

It is hoped the action and health benefits of making local journeys on foot today will have significantly reduce the number of short journeys made in the car and so collectively help shape a better climate for the future, while boosting local economies at the same time.

Environment, planning and countryside Minister, Carwyn Jones says: "It 's a fact of modern life that many of us are in the habit of driving to big supermarkets and out of town retail parks. We are urging people to think about using their local high street too.

"If more people commit to making more of these journeys on foot not only will they experience a whole world of benefit individually but there will also be a collective impact on the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

"More people shopping locally on foot means less cars on the roads and less pollution, a crucial step in helping to tackle the causes of climate change. It is also a boost for local economies."

Andrew Davies Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks adds: "We are investing over £2m in walking and cycling schemes across Wales next year and are encouraging people to leave their cars at home. "

Scientists estimate that brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, five times a week will result in an average fat loss of 15lb over a year with no changes to diet. If the entire adult population of Caerphilly made this lifestyle change, the average weight loss would total 860 tons - equivalent to 215 elephants.

According to Dr Richard Lewis of the British Medical Association in Wales, now is an ideal time to get into the walking habit: "Walking is an exercise that almost everybody can participate in regularly and enjoy. With the weather changing for the better this is the perfect time to start thinking about other ways of getting around other than jumping in the car. "

The health benefits aren 't only physical but getting out and about is a great way to meet new friends and blow away those winter cobwebs.

Walking to the shops is a simple way for people to build more physical activity into their daily routine as part of Health Challenge Wales. Small steps really can make a big difference to people's long term health and well-being.

Regional Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses in South Wales, Gethin Williams, is welcoming the challenge: "If more people took the time to visit local shops and businesses, the boost to the economy in Caerphilly would be substantial so the Corner Shop Challenge is definitely something to be applauded."

For further information visit www.wales.gov.uk/climatechange.

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