Press Release

Derry~Londonderry Connect2 Scheme in running for TV vote, as part of Sustrans’ Connect2 £50million bid.

Thursday 25th October 2007

A major project to get thousands of people walking and cycling across the City came a step closer today as Sustrans’ Connect2 Lottery bid entered the ultimate stage of the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million contest.

One of 79 UK nationwide practical cycling and walking connections for Sustrans, the local Connect2 project aims to deliver a network of greenway routes on the East Bank of the River Foyle. These new city greenways will converge on proposed foot and Cycle Bridge across the river connecting Ebrington to the Guildhall. These new greenways will enable many more school children, commuters, friends and family to make happier, healthier and everyday journeys. Derry City Council is working in partnership with Sustrans and Ilex to deliver the Connect2 project.

Four organisations, including ‘Sustrans’ Connect2 project, are competing for the People’s £50 Million contest to be decided by public vote on ITV1 in December. Each project will be the subject of a television programme on ITV1 in the week commencing 3 December. Sustrans’ Connect2 will be featured on Tuesday 4 December. Full programme details will be released in mid November. Voting will take place online and by phone vote.

Encouraging everyone to support the project, Mayor Alderman Drew Hamilton said; “This presents new opportunities for everyone to enjoy improved leisure and community connectivity in the City. Over 179,000 walkers and cyclists have journeyed along the existing riverside walkway and these proposed new facilities on the East Bank will extend the appeal and choice for everyone”.

Bill Kirk, Chief Executive of Ilex said: “This investment into the heart of city will provide a valuable connection to key regeneration sites in the city. I would encourage everyone to register their support and help make this £1.2million project a reality”.

Online voting for The People’s £50 Million Lottery Giveaway will open at 9am on 26 November at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk. Telephone voting will be over the weekend 7-10 December. * (See note to editor).

To find out more about Connect2 or to register your advance support and help us keep you personally updated with the dates and times for voting, visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or text Connect2 to 80010.

Ends

Notes to Editors

* Please note - ITV reserve the right to change schedules.

Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK’s transport challenges. Sustrans’ flagship project, the National Cycle Network, is now around 12,000 miles and runs within one mile of over half the UK population. During 2006 over 338 million trips were made on the Network. A team of 2,400 volunteer Rangers maintains it.

The Derry Cycling Forum has a 20-year vision (1999-2010) to develop 100km of urban greenway routes across the city. To date over 40km has been delivered. The Derry~Londonderry Connecting People 2 Place Project will complete a circuitous route linking the two existing bridges with the new iconic footbridge at the epicentre of this network.

The Big Lottery Fund rolls out close to £2 million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of hours: 07867 500 572 Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 08456 021 659

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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