People of Trafford are being encouraged to pick up their phones from this Friday (7 December) to help secure part of a £50 million Big Lottery Fund grant for walking and cycling. A vote for Sustrans’ Connect2, will help make it easier for people both locally and across the UK to walk and cycle for everyday journeys. The number to call will be available from 7 December at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk. Calls will cost no more than 10p from a BT landline, calls from other landlines and mobiles may be higher.

 

It’s also still possible to cast an online vote at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk and all voting closes at 12 noon on Monday 10 December.

 

Each of the bids will be highlighted in programmes on ITV1 this week. To find out more about Sustrans’ Connect2 tune into ITV1 at 11pm on Tuesday 4 and Friday 7 December, to see Lorraine Kelly’s run down of how the £50 million would change the lives of 79 communities across the UK. The winner will be announced on 12 December.   

 

Nationally Connect2 would build bridges, foot and cycle paths, and even reinstate a ferry, giving people easier and healthier access to schools, workplaces, shops and leisure areas. Connect2 is competing against 3 other organisations, with the winner being decided by public vote.

 

If the Connect2 bid is successful the Bridgewater Way, which is one of the 79 schemes that make up the Connect2 bid will receive funding for works to the Sale to Stretford section of the Bridgewater Way to be undertaken. This funding would particularly concentrate on improving the quality and number of access points to the route as well as improving the surface of the towpath itself.

 

Lorraine Kelly is leading the Connect2 bid, along with former minister Charles Clarke. Connect2 is also supported by author Bill Bryson, designer Wayne Hemingway and actor Alistair McGowan, among others. In Northern Ireland actor Steven Arnold, Coronation Street’s Ashley Peacock is getting behind Connect2.

 

Alistair McGowan explains why he’ll be picking up the phone for Connect2 this weekend:

 

“As someone who cycles everywhere I know the benefits being on two wheels can bring, last summer I improved my fitness level enormously by cycling to and from the theatre in Stratford. But I also know the problems cyclists, and walkers face when trying to negotiate busy roads, railway crossings, rivers etc. That’s why I’m voting for Sustrans’ Connect2 – it will give me and at least six million others, healthier and happier journeys around our local communities. Please vote Connect2 now”.

 

Sustrans’ Chief Executive John Grimshaw adds, “We need as many people as possible to use their landlines and mobile phones to vote for us to make sure some of that £50 million Lottery money benefits people here in Trafford. Log on to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk  vote for Sustrans’ Connect2, and get your friends, family and colleagues to do the same. There are so many great reasons to vote Connect2, and a minute of your time could make all the difference. And if you don’t have access to the internet text Connect2 to 80010 or call us on 0845 058 13 73 and we’ll send you the voteline number as soon as we know on 7 December.”

 

For more information about Connect2 visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk, call 0845 058 13 73 or text Connect2 to 80010.