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News 22 March 2010 The Portrait Bench is an art initiative from sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, which will soon be appearing all over the UK on newly created routes for pedestrians and cyclists. Each bench will be individual to each community with nearly 80 installed across the UK by 2013. The 2 mile stretch between Sale and Stretford is part of 12 miles of work in Trafford which will extend north of Stretford towards The Trafford Centre. This stretch is part of the Bridgewater Way, which is a unique 65 km scheme that will regenerate the canal towpath and create a route for cyclists, walkers, everyone. When the £8 million project is complete it will attract over half a million visitors a year. The Sale to Stretford section of the towpath is one of many schemes across the UK funded by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, using a £50m award from the Big Lottery Fund which was won in a national TV vote in 2007. A Memorandum of Understanding between Sustrans and its partners at Trafford Council and Peel in December 2008 which confirmed the partners’ continued commitment to the project and pledged £250,000 from Sustrans’ lottery award to improve the towpath for cyclists and walkers and provide a series of links into the community. Cllr Ken Weston, Chairman of Trafford Bridgewater Way Steering Group said, “The regeneration of the Bridgewater Way is an exciting project that will benefit both residents and visitors to the area, encouraging them to stay active and healthy by enjoying walking and cycling in Trafford. It will also allow people to enjoy wildlife attracted to the Bridgewater Canal, and will offer improved access to the canal for anglers. The portrait bench allows local people the chance to put their mark on this scheme, and I’d encourage everyone to think about which local heroes they would like to see represented.” Louise Morrissey, Director of Land and Planning at Peel said, “This is the chance for the community in Trafford to help shape an important aspect of the Bridgewater Way in Trafford. The bench is going to be a focal point on the towpath and it is wonderful that the people who use the towpath will be able to decide which figures will form the bench.” Peter Green of Sustrans said, “The Portrait Bench is a great way to make this new route really belong to Trafford. Perhaps weary commuters or schoolchildren could take a breather alongside a famous face, a footballing legend or even roman soldier. We can’t wait to see who the people of Trafford come up with.” Please send your nominations to portraitbench@peel.co.uk by 31st March 2010.
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