FIT grantee Laura Laker has published a toolkit to help communities deliver local footpaths for walking and cycling.

Through interviews with successful communities, local politicians and activists, Laura’s toolkit walks people through the process of establishing local footpaths, identifying the challenges they may face along the way and giving advice on how to overcome them.

The toolkit identifies several overarching principles to help groups deliver local paths:

• Build positive relationships in the community.
• Find out what people’s priorities are and underline the links between the path and those priorities.
• Find a champion in the local authority.
• Keep your communications positive.
• Build a sense of progress and momentum to keep people interested.
• Use the resources you have to the best of your abilities.
• Be proactive with local media.
• Broaden your appeal.
• Understand community needs and concerns.