Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is calling for urgent action after new analysis revealed that three parliamentary constituencies across its area rank among the ten worst in England for access to nature.

The analysis, published jointly by The Wildlife Trusts and Liberal Democrats for Nature & Climate, assessed Defra data against Westminster constituency boundaries to examine how many people can reach an accessible green or blue space within a 15-minute walk of home.

The findings show that Harrow West has the poorest access to nature of all 238 English constituencies identified as having low access, with just 28.77% of properties located within a 15-minute walk of an accessible green or blue space. This means more than seven in ten homes are beyond the Government's recommended standard.

Two other constituencies within the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust area also feature in the national top ten:

• Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner ranks fifth, with just 46.47% of properties within a 15-minute walk of accessible nature.
• Harrow East ranks eighth, with 48.45% of properties meeting the same measure.

Across England, the analysis found that 238 parliamentary constituencies – 44% of the total – have low access to nature, defined as constituencies where 20% or more of properties are located more than a 15-minute walk from an accessible green or blue space.

Laura Burrows, Chief Executive, Herts and Middlesex Trust says,

“I grew up in Pinner, one of three constituencies mentioned in the top ten in our area and feel both incredibly sad and concerned about the findings of the report. I believe everyone should have access to nature, not as a luxury but as a right. 

“We know time spent outdoors supports our physical and mental well-being, with people living close to parks, rivers, woodlands and other accessible natural spaces tend to enjoy healthier, happier and longer lives. Yet despite successive governments committing to ensure everyone can access green or blue space within a 15-minute walk of home, the latest figures show that many communities, including these local areas where our members and supporters live and work, remain a long way from achieving that ambition.”

The analysis also highlights a strong link between nature deprivation and economic deprivation, with many of England's most disadvantaged communities also having the poorest access to green space. London contains the highest number of constituencies with low access to nature, underlining the particular challenges faced by densely populated urban areas.

The findings come during another summer marked by extreme heat, when access to parks, trees and waterways can play a vital role in keeping communities cool, supporting physical activity and improving mental wellbeing.

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is urging the Government to honour its commitment by introducing a legally binding target to ensure everyone can reach an accessible green or blue space within a 15-minute walk of home.

The Trust is also backing calls for a comprehensive national Access to Nature Strategy that would:

• make improving access to nature a priority across government;
• ensure new housing developments increase, rather than reduce, access to green infrastructure;
• support communities to create new walking and cycling routes and accessible natural spaces; and
• provide local authorities with long-term funding to improve and expand parks and other public green spaces.

The Trust are also encouraging people to share their own experiences of how access to nature has benefited their lives. These stories, alongside other accounts from across the country, together with the new data analysis, will be presented to Defra to demonstrate the urgent need for action.

For communities across Harrow, Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, the message is clear: access to nature should not depend on where you live. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits that accessible green and blue spaces provide.

To see the full data analysis click here. And to share an experience of how access to nature has benefitted your life, please email media@hmwt.org