A new guide inviting people to discover the ‘rich tapestry of engineering wonders and history that are woven above, below and across’ the streets of London has been launched.
Design consultancy Buro Happold’s Transport and Mobility team has collaborated with walking route creator Footways to produce a series of walking routes that allow visitors and residents to explore some of the city’s feats of engineering on foot.
The first map from the Great British Engineering Adventure is a new circular walking route that links London’s mainline rail stations and follows quiet, ‘feature-filled’ streets to seek out its engineering heritage.
The 18-mile loop, which is accessible by public transport and can be walked in sections, has the working title of the Rail and Heritage Loop, although Buro Happold and Footways are inviting people to suggest a new name.
Emma Griffin, co-founder and director of Footways CIC, said: ‘We know that quiet and interesting walking routes and beautiful maps get people out and about, walking more, keeping healthy and enjoying this amazing city.
‘So we’re pretty excited about this collaboration: drafting a brand new walking route for London and working with a team as invested as we are in creating safe and people-friendly streets.’
The idea for the Great British Adventure was formed when Federico Cassani, partner and global transport and mobility lead at Buro Happold, saw Ms Griffin speak at Transport Planning Day in 2023.
He said: ‘Walking is the oldest form of active travel. Whilst there are many projects we’re working on across the city to improve public realm, there is more to be done to prioritse active travel and mobility and this seemed like a sensible way forward.’
The team is working on a series of walks across the city and Buro Happold and Footways are also looking to create walkable routes across historic cities such as Bath, Leeds and Edinburgh over the coming months.
Buro Happold is an international, integrated consultancy of engineers, designers and advisers.
Footways is a social enterprise with a mission to get people walking more and further on A-to-B journeys.
