Coronavirus: Majority of Britons want green spaces prioritised after lockdown, poll suggests

The majority of British people think maintaining and improving local parks and green spaces should be a greater priority when the UK’s coronavirus lockdown is lifted, a poll suggests.

More than half (53 per cent) said they have a greater appreciation for local parks, nearby countryside and green belt since social distancing measures were introduced.

Even more (57 per cent) said their awareness of the importance of such green spaces to mental health and wellbeing had increased.

The survey of more than 2,000 people for countryside charity CPRE and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI), conducted by Opinium, also found a boosted community spirit.

Around two-fifths of people said they were communicating more with their community and felt a greater sense of connection with it, with simple acts like waving during the Thursday “clap for our carers” event, saying hello on the doorstep and social media groups bringing people together.

Just over a third (35 per cent) said they were visiting local green space more often since lockdown, and 63 per cent said protecting and enhancing such areas should be more of a priority in the wake of the pandemic.

“Our countryside and local green spaces are facing mounting pressure but the coronavirus pandemic has reminded us why the countryside next door, including our green belts, is so important to ordinary people,” said Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE.

“More people are aware of the health and wellbeing benefits that access to green spaces delivers and support for protecting and enhancing these after lockdown is impossible for the government to ignore.

“Going back to business as usual is not an option.

“The government must use the forthcoming planning reforms to protect these precious spaces and also go further by investing in their enhancement.”

The call for greater protecting and enhancing of green spaces comes after the government’s climate advisers, the Committee on Climate Change, urged ministers to invest in improving parks and planting trees as part of a green recovery after the pandemic.

Lynne Stubbings, chair, National Federation of Women’s Institutes, said it was “wonderful” to see people becoming more connected, and that the WI was supporting those in need in their communities.

She also said green spaces had been a lifeline to people.

“So many of us have discovered pockets of green right on our doorsteps – a chance to get out in the fresh air, exercise, and support our mental wellbeing, which has been an oasis in difficult times,” she said.

“Yet too many of these places are threatened – by pollution, litter or the impacts of climate change.

“As we look to rebuild after the crisis, we must make sure that we continue to cherish our communities and this new sense of connectedness – both to each other and to our local environment.”

Meanwhile, some cities are placing greater emphasis on repurposing spaces for cyclists and pedestrians to use after lockdown measures are eased.

In London, parking spaces and traffic lanes could be used to give more space for pedestrians and cyclists under a new transport plan announced by City Hall on Wednesday.

Transport for London (TfL) modelling suggested there could be a more than 10-fold increase in cycle use and a five-fold increase in walking when coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Similarly, Manchester’s council is reportedly looking at pedestrianising parts of the city centre, while Brighton’s seafront Madeira Drive has been closed to traffic.

Additional reporting by Press Association