With many more Scots getting out and about for a daily walk, run or cycle, it’s never been more important to look after our green spaces. That’s the message from MSP Brian Whittle, who believes one lasting impact of the current lockdown should be that we value outdoor space and our natural environment more.
The former Olympic athlete turned Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Minister has argued strongly for more investment in active travel across the country to get more people outside and active. Now, with many more Scots at home during the day taking advantage of their ability to go out once a day for exercise, Brian thinks there’s a chance to change out habits for the better.
As well as encouraging people to take care of the space we have now by cleaning up after our dogs, not littering and being respectful of farm gates and animals in the countryside, Brian wants his fellow MSPs and the public to think about how we use our outdoor spaces in the future.
Among the ideas he wants to discuss are creating more garden and shared green space in housing developments and ensuring that councils protect and maintain local parks and playing fields.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“With so many of us getting outside every day, it’s important that we all respect our public spaces. If you have a dog, it doesn’t take much effort to clean up after it and it makes a big difference for other people. Likewise, if you’re out in the countryside, please keep out of fields with animals in them and always remember to close gates properly behind you.
Having the opportunity to get outside and into a bit of green space is a welcome escape at the moment and I want to think about how we make sure we all have that opportunity in the future. Whether that’s something as simple as making sure councils put enough money into maintaining parks or longer term ambitions like encouraging house builders to put a little more green space in future developments, it all makes a difference.
It might be a while away yet, but I want to start thinking now about what we want life to be like after this pandemic has passed. More and better outdoor space is definitely high on my list.”
