A LONG-TERM plan to boost physical activity levels in Barnsley which lag behind both regional and national statistics aims to ensure more than half of journeys made to work or for education are ‘active travel’ which include exercise.
To meet their target, Barnsley Council would need to reach that figure by 2033, giving less than 15 years to turn around society’s current car-culture.
Alongside that, the council also hopes to end the ‘school run’ by getting 85 per cent of primary school children to and from lessons through ‘active travel’, with a target of 65 per cent for secondary students by the same date.
If successful, the work would also have a major impact on traffic congestion which now affects most schools, in addition to the health and environmental benefits involved.
Latest statistics show almost 30 per cent of Barnsley's population are officially designated inactive doing less than 30 minutes exercise each week, higher than the Yorkshire and national levels, at less than 27 per cent and just over 25 per cent respectively.
In Barnsley, the situation is worst towards the east of the borough, where poverty and deprivation are thought to play a part in the reluctance of some people to get involved in activities such as sport.
The council has been aware of the situation for some time and a public health strategy operating for two years sought to address the situation.
But now the authority’s ruling cabinet is being asked to go a stage further by promoting physical activity in a more co-ordinated way, with other partner agencies and in different areas of life.
In addition to targeting commuter journeys, work is expected to improve opportunities for physical activities at work and in communities.
An existing example is the Active Dearne project, which has involved work with organisations in Rotherham and Doncaster.
Schools will also be encouraged to take up new opportunities to improve exercise levels, which are proven to have benefits for both physical and mental health among those who take part.
Work will also be done to monitor the impact of the steps taken under the Active in Barnsley strategic plan, which will run until 2022, if adopted.
