A workshop promoting a new website allowing people access to a network of walking routes is slated for Worcester.

The event will be at The Hub on Saturday, March 9 from 10:30am until 4pm.

Steve Melia, a green travel writer, conceived the idea for RailWalks.co.uk.

He was later joined by Andy Stevenson of Point2Guides, integrating the project with his study at the University of Worcester, and Kieran Seale, who created Walk by Rail in the Chilterns.

The group is expected to map and promoting long-distance routes to encourage sustainable, green travel.

The website will serve as a platform for communities to share information, present existing routes, and devise new trails.

Once launched, the website aims to enrich awareness that railways are amongst the most environmentally-sound modes of transport.

Details on how community members can incorporate their walking routes onto the website will be revealed at the forthcoming workshop.

Anyone interested can join the mailing list and sign up at www.railwalks.co.uk.

Mr Melia said: "Over the past 15 years, I have walked across most of Southwest England and much of the rest of the country by public transport, mainly by rail.

"I had no idea how easy it is, and how much of Britain you can walk by rail, until I moved to a city, gave up the car and started doing it.

"I've walked through wild, remote and wonderful places and that gave me the idea for a national network."

Mr Stevenson said: "After helping to create ‘Rail Trails Worcestershire‘, a series of freely-available recreational walking guide materials, I was delighted when the idea of a larger UK-wide network of rail walks was suggested.

"My research at the University of Worcester examines how walkers use visual guide materials, so this new project covers all bases for me."

Mr Seale said: "Walking in the countryside brings great benefits for physical and mental health.

"There are many advantages to using public transport you don't have to end the walk where you started, so you can see much more as well as the obvious environmental benefits.

"This network has the potential to bring countryside walks within the reach of millions of city dwellers."