Whitest parts of England and Wales have 144% more local paths, study finds

A public footpath finger post in East Dean, East Sussex. The provision of public footpaths near new housing has steadily declined since the 1970s. Photograph: Geoff Smith/Alamy

The old, white, wealthy and healthy have access to miles more public footpaths in their local neighbourhoods than poor and ethnically diverse communities in England and Wales, according to a study.

The whitest areas enjoy 144% more local footpaths than the most ethnically diverse areas, and the most affluent parts of the countries have 80% more local paths, defined as within a 10-minute walk of the area, according to the research, published by the Ramblers.