The first of its kind for Kent, this map has been delivered in partnership with Kent County Council, Explore Kent and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. The map highlights how far it takes to travel in 15 to 30 minutes, by walking or cycling, to and from Maidstone Hospital.
With 7000 members of staff working at the hospital, and a number of schools and colleges in the area, the local network has been known to become congested with traffic, particularly at peak times. The hope is that this map will encourage more people travelling to the hospital to walk or wheel where possible.
The map details the Maidstone area with the hospital at the centre, highlighting the distance to many train stations such as Aylesford, Barming, Maidstone Barracks, Maidstone East & West, East Malling, West Malling and East Farleigh. It also features the public footpaths, national cycle routes and local bus routes in the area.
“The innovative map will support local communities to avoid traffic jams, save money on parking and fuel, and choose more sustainable travel.”
Rob Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I am pleased we have worked with our NHS partners to help them create a map that encourages staff and visitors to walk or wheel to and from the hospital.
‘Choosing to leave the car at home and walking or cycling instead is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduce congestion on our roads, and contribute to a greener environment.
‘The innovative map will support local communities to avoid traffic jams, save money on parking and fuel, and choose more sustainable travel.”
Miles Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), said: “We are grateful to Kent County Council and colleagues at the MTW Hospitals Charity for their hard work in developing such a useful resource. It is important that our hospital sites are accessible, and this map provides a great point of information to help patients, visitors and staff plan their journeys.
“Part of our ‘Exceptional people, outstanding care’ vision involves prioritising sustainability and supporting the wider NHS target of reaching net zero. Cutting down on carbon emissions caused by transport is a key part of this, and raising awareness of the walking and cycling routes around our hospitals offers tools to our local communities to help us all make sustainable choices where possible.”
The map has been shared with all members of staff working at the hospital and can be found on the Explore Kent website.
