Warwickshire News Mine

By voting for Connect2, the organisation Sustrans - which is responsible for cycling routes across the UK - will invest in two schemes in Kenilworth and Rugby for cyclists and walkers.

An announcement yesterday has confirmed that Connect2 is one of 4 projects competing in the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million Contest on ITV this December. Only one project will win the £50 million.

People can register their intent to vote by going online to http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or by texting Connect2 to 80010 – and Sustrans will then notify people how and when to vote.

Voting will take place online and by phone following the TV shows. Online voting will open on 26 November at http://www.thepeoples50million.org.uk.

The Kenilworth scheme is for walkers and cyclists, linking Kenilworth to the University of Warwick and to Berkswell. It builds on existing local efforts to upgrade the Kenilworth to Berkswell Greenway (along the route of the disused railway line), but with the addition of a new walking/cycling route across to the University campus, and crucially a safe pedestrian/cyclist crossing (probably a bridge) across the busy A429 Coventry Road.

The scheme is being promoted by Warwickshire County Council with the strong backing of the University of Warwick, as it could provide an important element in the university’s Green Travel Plan supporting its current expansion plans. Warwick District Council councillors and officers are also backing the project.

The Chair of the local Connect2 Steering Group, Warwickshire County Councillor John Whitehouse (Kenilworth Abbey) said: “We hope to generate a lot of publicity and support for the Connect2 project over the next few weeks, so that maximum numbers of local people vote for us in the public TV vote in December.

“Connect2 is the only scheme competing for the lottery funding that will benefit communities throughout the UK. It will improve people’s daily lives with easier access to town centres, schools, work etc as well as providing leisure opportunities.

“Our local scheme will open up the Greenway route as an all-year-round leisure route for walkers and cyclists, providing a ‘green corridor’ leading out from the heart of Kenilworth into some of our loveliest local countryside. The new route to and from the university will benefit the many Kenilworth residents who work or study there, as well as the many others visiting for entertainment and recreational purposes.

“However, to make this a reality we first have to win the public TV vote in December! We hope that everyone locally will back us, and will remember to vote for us when the time comes. Our efforts over the next ten weeks will be focused on this sole objective.”

District Councillor Ann Blacklock (Kenilworth Abbey), also a member of the local Steering Group, said: “I recently attended a Connect2 national conference in Chester together with representatives of all the other 79 projects across the UK, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved was amazing.

“Each project is unique, but what links them is the opportunity to enhance sustainable travel options for local communities. Details of all the projects are on the Connect 2 website. I would urge everyone to see for themselves.”

Robert Wilson, Director of Estates at the University of Warwick, said:

“Connect 2 is great news for the university, and fits in with our plans to reduce car use and make transport to and from the campus more green and sustainable.”

John Grimshaw, Sustrans CEO, said: "We are delighted that Sustrans’ Connect2 has made it through to the final stage of the contest. Together with local communities, we look forward to doing all we can to win the vote so that we can bring real and lasting change to the everyday lives of millions of ordinary people all over the UK. We all need to travel around, and Connect2 will transform local areas, helping people on their everyday journeys, whether that’s to the shops, schools, work or to get together with family and friends. Our projects in England, Scotland, Wales and North Ireland are within a mile of as many as six million people, giving the £50 million the power to make a massive difference to our health, environment and overall quality of life, today, tomorrow and for generations to come."

The Kenilworth scheme is one of three Connect2 projects in the West Midlands being coordinated by Edward Healey, Sustrans Regional Officer based in Birmingham. The other projects are in Birmingham and Rugby – more details on the Rugby scheme and the entire Connect2 project can be obtained from the Sustrans Connect2 website http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk

To contact the local Connect2 Steering Group, e-mail John Whitehouse on cllrwhitehouse@warwickshire.gov.uk or phone him on 01926 512130.

Link to WCC