As the competition for the largest publicly decided Lottery competition reaches its finale local people have another chance to bring some of that £50 million Big Lottery Fund grant to Trafford and make it easier for people to get around the area on foot or by bike. The lines for telephone voting open at 9 am Friday 7 December and the number to dial for the Sustrans’ Connect2 project is 0870 24 24 602** Voting closes at midday on Monday 10 December.

 

** Typetalk users should dial 18001 before the number they want to vote for.

Maximum call charge 10p from a BT landline, calls from mobiles and other operators may be higher. No profits are made by ITV or BIG from your calls. Or vote online, www.thepeoples50million.org.uk. There is no charge for online entry but service provider charges may apply. Lines open at 9am Friday 7th December 2007 and close at midday Monday 10th December 2007. Phone entries made before lines open or after the closing time will not be counted but may still be charged.  For terms and conditions visit itv.com/terms

 

There are three ways for everyone to vote for Sustrans’ Connect2 - a telephone vote, from landline and mobile or by going to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk can help bring new local travel routes to the doorstep, making it easier for millions of people: both locally, and across the UK to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.  

 

Comedy actor Rob Brydon from the award-winning “Gavin & Stacey” will be voting for Connect2:  “I fully support not only my local Port Talbot route but the 79 projects all over Britain. It seems a brilliant scheme to create new pedestrian and cycle routes in communities where they are most needed – in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This would make it so much easier for people in these areas to walk and cycle locally for the journeys to schools, shops, workplaces and for leisure.

 

“I sincerely hope people all over the country take part in the television vote on the 7th December and look forward to riding my local path myself with my family”. 

 

79 communities around the UK, including Trafford, would benefit from the sustainable transport charity winning the £50 million grant in the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million contest. 

 

Nationally Connect2 would build bridges, foot and cycle paths, and even reinstate a ferry, giving people easier and healthier access to their schools, workplaces, shops, parks and countryside.   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.

 

Sustrans’ Chief Executive John Grimshaw says, “Now’s your chance to make sure some of that £50 million Lottery money benefits people here in Trafford.   Log on to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk and vote for Sustrans’ Connect2, and get your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.   A vote for Connect2 is a vote for a healthier more sustainable future, for us - and our children: just a minute of your time could make all the difference”.

 

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly is leading the Connect2 bid, she says “Forget the gym, Connect2 is the answer to our obesity problems” she is joined by former minister Charles Clarke, author Bill Bryson, designer Wayne Hemingway, actor Alistair McGowan and journalist Jon Snow among others.

 

Each of the bids have been highlighted in programmes on ITV1 this week, and can be seen on the People’s Millions website. The winner will be announced on 12 December.

 

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