Walsall Council is partnering with Triathlon England to develop a long-term plan to support local people get active and improve their health and wellbeing.

Birchills Leamore in the borough of Walsall has been identified as one of 17 priority areas in Triathlon England’s ‘The Big Active’. The partnership and plan aims to help communities get active, supporting people of all ages and abilities to walk, cycle and swim to help improve their health and wellbeing.  

In addition, through the Walsall and Bloxwich Town Deal, Walsall Council has worked with the Canal and River Trust and other partners to improve active travel routes and connectivity, aiming to make active travel more accessible. This includes drastically improving around five miles of towpath to make it easier to walk and cycle along the borough’s canal routes.  

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “I’m delighted to be working with Triathlon England on this initiative and look forward to seeing more and more people using our newly improved active travel routes to improve their health and wellbeing. Health and wellbeing is a priority in our long term vision for the borough so it’s great news that Triathlon England has identified Birchills Leamore as a priority area.” 

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces, said: “In Walsall we benefit from huge amounts of green space and access to newly improved canal towpaths, as well as 4 well equipped leisure centres. I look forward to working with Triathlon England to help local people to access what’s on their doorstep to improve their wellbeing and get active.” 

Helen Marney, British Triathlon’s Director of Development, added: “It’s great to working closely with Walsall Council to support local people to get active and improve their health and wellbeing. The council has recently created more active travel routes and we’re looking forward to helping people make the most of them as well as taking advantage of the fantastic green spaces and leisure centres available to them.” 

Triathlon England will work with a wide range of partners to break down barriers to physical activity, providing people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get involved in swim, bike, run and walk in a way that suits them.