MOST people in the Dudley borough have more than a mile of green footpaths within walking distance, new analysis has revealed.

The Ramblers – a charity for walkers – researched the extent of green rights of way across England, using satellite observations of land cover.

They found despite the majority of England being green land, many areas, particularly urban ones, are lacking in green routes.

Charities have called for more action on greening cities across the UK, which will “improve people’s quality of life and provide a home to nature”.

Dating back to the 1970s, the annual conservation event aims to encourage people to take action to preserve the natural environment.

The figures revealed 2,289-metres (more than a mile) of green public rights of way are accessible to people in Stourbridge within a 10-minute walk, with the constituency ranking 239th out of 448 constituencies in England.

Elsewhere in Dudley:

In Dudley South - 1,866-metres (about a mile) of green public rights of way are accessible to people within a 10-minute walk. This ranks 285th out of 448 constituencies in England.

In Dudley North – people have 2,739-metres (more than a mile) of green public rights of way within a 10-minute walk making the constituency 177th out of 448 in England.

In Halesowen and Rowley Regis – 2,426-metres (more than a mile) of green public rights of way are accessible within a 10-minute walk. This ranks 223rd out of 448 constituencies in England.

James MacColl, head of policy, advocacy and campaigns at the Ramblers, said everyone should live “within 15 minutes’ walk of accessible green space”.

He added: “We should be working to make our towns and cities some of the best and most liveable in the world by creating green walking routes that allow residents and visitors to experience all the benefits of walking in nature right from their doorstep.”

The Ramblers added tree planting and other initiatives such as pocket parks in urban areas could be beneficial for those lacking in green space.

Separate figures from environmental organisation Friends of the Earth, show 43 per cent of neighbourhoods in England have less than 10 per cent tree canopy cover, while 84 per cent have less than 20 per cent coverage.

The analysis revealed 16 neighbourhoods in Stourbridge (27.6 per cent) have less than 10 per cent tree canopy cover. Overall, the constituency has just 13.3 per cent tree cover – equivalent to 354 hectares.

In Dudley South - 19 neighbourhoods (36.5 per cent) have less than 10 per cent tree canopy cover and the constituency has just 14.4 per cent tree cover – equivalent to 376 hectares.

In Dudley North - nine neighbourhoods (17.6 per cent) have less than 10 per cent tree canopy cover and overall the constituency has just 18.3 per cent tree cover – equivalent to 416 hectares.

In Halesowen and Rowley Regis - 15 neighbourhoods (26.8 per cent) have less than 10 per cent tree canopy cover and the constituency has just 15.4 per cent tree cover (471 hectares).

The figures also showed there are fewer trees in the poorest neighbourhoods.

Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, said: “Green space and tree cover are important for people’s mental health as well as vital for nature.

“Councils need the tools and long-term resources to increase tree cover, green streets and develop new parks. Greening our cities will improve people’s quality of life and provide a home to nature.”

Further Office for National Statistics data shows people in the UK spend less time in nature than they did before the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 1.1 million fewer people across the UK gained health benefits from spending time in nature in 2022 compared with two years earlier – equivalent to 22,000 years of life in perfect health lost.

A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “We are increasing access to nature and our Environmental Improvement Plan set out our ambition for every household to be within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water.”

“We are also reducing other barriers preventing people from accessing green and blue spaces, including through our £14.5 million ‘Access for All’ programme,” they added.

They also said they announced a package of measures for a new National Park, 34 new landscape recovery projects, new forests and funding to help more children get outdoors and into the countryside.