About us

Who we are

Footways mission

We are a social enterprise with a mission to get people walking more and further on A-to-B journeys.

Walking is the cheapest, healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and arguably the most enjoyable form of transport. 

Our work shifts habits, raises the profile of walking and identifies infrastructure improvements to create people-friendly, enjoyable and accessible cities. 

We do this by creating compelling walking networks; eye-catching maps; and working with partners to create safe, easy and enjoyable walking environments.

Footways Story

  • We worked with councils, business improvement districts, academics, hospitals, cultural organisations, disability and campaign groups and universities to develop the first Central London Walking Network; and discuss infrastructure changes needed to make walking safer, easier and more enjoyable. Our advisory group is listed here.

  • We felt that journey planning apps, such as Google Maps, disregarded walkers, sending them down polluted, noisy streets, even when enjoyable backstreet alternatives took about the same time. Walking maps such as Legible London, while very useful, give no indication of the quality of the street.

  • Which leaves the more recent Victorian and Edwardian streets to the through-traffic they were designed for. In outer London, the routes prioritise green and blue links, as well as low traffic neighbourhoods.

  • Our maps shrink the city for people on foot, show walking as a realistic form of transport, and showcase the unbeatable experience of walking. Footways maps are arguably the first to show London's streets from a pedestrian's view.

  • We distributed 10,000 free copies via visitor centres and independent bookshops.

    The second edition of Central London Footways was designed by Applied Information. It was published in May 2022 with support from Network Rail, Central District Alliance, City of London Corporation, Cross River Partnership, King’s Cross, LNER, Northbank BID and Urban Partners.

    A third edition was published in May 2023, with Network Rail buying more than 30k copies to distribute for free from stations.

  • We have delivered maps for Hackney Central, Islington Council, Kings Park, Camden Town Unlimited, Westminster Council, The Science Museum and Greater London Authority amongst others.

    The back of our maps are designed by Studio Bergini. The inspirational design shows features which add interest to walks.

Our campaigning and engagement

Footways is a tool for campaigning as much as it is a walking network. 

  • The process of creating networks and maps highlights the best and worst of walking infrastructure and identifies where improvements should be prioritised.

  • We work with councils and others to support and promote improvements in walking infrastructure.

  • We work in an advisory capacity by sitting on working groups, speaking at conferences and promoting best practice in publications.

  • We use our maps to engage local communities and reflect their needs and knowledge.

Check out our Impact page to find out more about the details of our approach, impact and partnerships.

Meet the team

David Harrison, co-founder

David has had a long interest in travel and transport. His PhD and then book was on roads and bridges The Bridges of Medieval England - Hardback - David Harrison - Oxford University Press (oup.com). For many years he worked as a House of Commons Clerk, including on the Health and on the Environment and Transport Committee. He managed an inquiry into 'Walking in Towns and Cities', the first ever select committee report on everyday walking: House of Commons - Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs - Eleventh Report (parliament.uk).

In retirement, he became Chair of Islington Living streets, and part of the newly formed London Living Streets. He continues to give talks and write about walking, the public realm, and roads and bridges. 

Emma Griffin, co-founder

Emma has been writing about and campaigning for better streets since the early 2000s. Back then she was a journalist, specialising in sustainable transport and business for a range of trade titles and CNN.

She turned her attention to campaigning following an Urban Studies MSc at UCL in 2015. Emma is also vice-chair of London Living Streets and trustee of Foundation for Integrated Transport.

Michael Shilling

Michael has worked as a professional photographer for the past twenty years. Alongside his work with Footways and freelance filmmaking in the environmental sector, he is a London National Park City Ranger, a volunteer with CPRE London, the Marketing and Communications Officer at ecoACTIVE, and Director of Memory Gate Photography and The Photo Cafe London.

In his spare time Michael explores London on foot as London In 360 : Creator of 360 Street Photography.

William Petty

William Petty is a non-fiction author, transport campaigner and map wrangler from North London. In addition to his work with Footways, he has worked with CPRE London and Healthy Streets Scorecard on improving parking policy in the capital, rides for a cargo trike delivery service, and volunteers with Hackney Cycling Campaign to promote active travel and reduce car dependency. In his spare time he sings, makes maps, walks up mountains, and travels round Europe on public transport.

Join the team

Footways are often looking for people who are passionate about the important role of walking in cities to contribute to our mission; so if you are interested in contributing to our work please contact us on either the email below or using the form below.

When we have dedicated positions available to apply for we will post them here and through our networks, so watch this space.

If you would like to reach us please say hello@footways.london or use the form below with feedback or questions.

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Get in touch

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