Pensioners on march in walking group fight

Glasgow Life is to axe the programme that organises two-hour country walks for pensioners and transport. They say the programme is heavily subsidised and want to focus resources on people who have not exercised before.

But pensioners say the walks provide a "social lifeline" for the city's elderly as well as helping them stay fit and well. The are demanding a meeting with Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson.

John Reid, 67, of Cardonald, said: "We pay £7.90 and the council pays about £4 so we pay about two thirds of the cost. It's not just about the health side, there is the social side too.

"We would like them, at least, to extend the walks to Easter to give us time to have a proper consultation.

"However Archie Graham, the deputy leader of the council, told us he couldn't guarantee that. We now want a meeting with Gordon Matheson."

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: "Our priority is to get more people fit and active and we have looked at our walking programme and will target the resources at helping people who may not have walked or exercised before to start their journey toward physical activity.

"In the last 12 months, 336 people participated in the programme. Over the same period it cost just over £100,000. Taking income into account the programme was being subsidised at an annual cost of £178 per person."

"We are encouraging those who have enjoyed our half-day and garden walks to consider two options.

"Annual membership of the Ramblers Association costs about the same as a single full-day walk with us and allows people to walk with any of the ramblers groups anywhere in the UK.

"There's a popular and active Glasgow Ramblers group in Glasgow.

"We have also offered support from our club development experts who can assist with everything required to help people form their own constituted club and have already successfully helped a group in Castlemilk do this."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk