A new map aimed at boosting the number of people travelling on foot between Bradford city centre and St Luke’s Hospital has been introduced.

As part of the celebrations for National Walking Month, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, was joined by Professor Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder at Bradford Council, and Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive of Living Streets, at the launch in Bradford on Friday.

The map, which includes two route options from Bradford Interchange and City Park to St Luke’s Hospital, has been developed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and charity Living Streets.

Mayor Brabin, who joined a led walk from Bradford Interchange to meet staff at St Luke’s Hospital, said: “Walking is one of the most accessible ways to travel. It is something most of us do every day, you can do it straight from your front door and it does not have to cost a penny.

“We know getting more people walking, as well as cycling, is part of the solution to so many of the challenges we face – from boosting our health and wellbeing, to reducing congestion on our roads, improving the air we breathe and tackling the climate emergency on our way to becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.

“Supporting more people to walk is just one example of how we are helping make West Yorkshire an even better place to live, work, raise a family and flourish.” Professor Mel Pickup said: “Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve or maintain your overall health and we're delighted to introduce these walking routes.

“Their use will help improve our carbon footprint, reduce the environmental impact of our services and create a greener NHS and environment for us all. This marks another great step on our journey to becoming ‘net zero’.”

Both routes on the walking map - a flatter option via Manchester Road and a hillier alternative via Little Horton Lane for people looking to improve their fitness - are about a mile long and take between 20 and 30 minutes to walk. The map will be promoted to staff and visitors at the hospital, as well as people travelling through Bradford Interchange.

Find out more information at wymetro.com/plan-a-journey/hospitals-by-bus/.