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8:03 PM 20th September 2021
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LNER Strides Out To Encourage More Customers To Discover London On Foot

 
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is leading the way in getting more people walking by becoming the first major train company to distribute Central London Footways Maps.

LNER is committed to helping protect the environment with greener trains and stations and this is one of the latest ways it is encouraging more sustainable travel, with the maps being made available in advance of World Car Free Day on 22 September 2021.

It is hoped the Footways maps, available for free at the Information desk on the London King’s Cross Station concourse and online at footways.london/map, will inspire people to walk and explore a network of interesting and scenic streets. Walking to or from a railway station helps further reduce the impact on the environment while also increasing the physical and mental health benefits.

LNER continues to promote the many green credentials of rail travel with its fleet of new Azuma trains bringing even more benefits for the environment. Compared to the previous fleet of older InterCity trains, the introduction of Azuma trains helped save more than nine million litres of diesel fuel in 2019/20.

The LNER ‘Green Guide’ launched earlier this year inspires people looking to make eco-friendly choices, showcasing the best attractions, places to stay, eat and drink during trips to London, Newcastle or Edinburgh. LNER is supporting the Footways project, to make more walking maps available in early 2022 and make it even more accessible, with digital options and additional routes based on feedback from the public and local LNER teams. The existing map was created by London Living Streets, the volunteer group of the UK charity for everyday walking, Urban Good with funding from Transport for London.

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: "Walking can be the best way to experience central London. The Footways Map highlights some of the most captivating routes that are not always the most obvious or well known. World Car Free Day on 22 September provides the perfect opportunity to put your best foot forward and try it out.

“Right across our route we are continuing to improve integration with local walking and cycling routes, including upgrades to our stations to improve the facilities on offer. With around 60% of journeys being to or from London King’s Cross, we hope many people will find these maps a wonderful way to discover London.”

Emma Griffin, co-founder of Footways and vice-chair of London Living Streets, said:"It only takes 25 minutes to walk from King's Cross to the British Museum, or 40 minutes to Trafalgar Square but every day, most people choose motorised forms of transport for these short journeys. The time has come to walk more and walk further - to improve our health, the environment, boost footfall and bring joy and discovery back to our daily lives."

The maps can be collected from LNER’s Information desk which is located at the north end of the main concourse area of King’s Cross Station, near platforms 9 and 10