Recreation Spaces: Access
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve access to nature in a) Romford and b) other constituencies where over 20% of properties are located more than 15 minutes’ walk away from green and blue spaces.
Answered by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government is committed to improving access to nature through measures set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, including National River Walks, National Forests and an Access to Nature Green Paper. We are also using the new 15-minute access data to help target action towards areas with poorer access to green and blue space.
Through the Pride in Place Programme, Harold Hill East in Havering will now receive up to £20 million. A neighbourhood Board will work with the community to decide how this funding is spent, which could include investments in parks and green spaces. In Romford, Raphael Park and Cottons Park have received Green Flag Awards in 2026, a recognised accreditation setting the national standard for green spaces across the UK.
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