CHESHIRE is to benefit from a three major new routes for walkers and cyclists after the county was revealed as one of the winners in the biggest ever Lottery giveaway.
The Connect2 bid – a package of 79 community-based schemes across the UK – beat three other bids competing in The People’s £50 Million Lottery Giveaway following a televised public vote.
Cheshire will receive £2.25m to fund schemes in Chester, Northwich and Crewe and Nantwich.
They are:
Creating a pedestrian bridge over the River Dee in Chester, a mile upstream from Queen’s Park Bridge, connecting to existing walking and cycling routes
Replacing the derelict 1930s Riversdale swing-bridge in Northwich which was a popular route for walkers and cyclists before it fell into disrepair
Creating a promenade away from traffic on the A530 between Nantwich and Crewe, connecting to riverside walks in Nantwich and Queen’s Park in Crewe
County council highways and transportation executive member Eveleigh Moore Dutton said: “I am delighted. What truly fantastic news this is for Cheshire.
“These new sustainable routes will help us all to have ‘green lungs’ by making our everyday journeys in a healthy and environmentally friendly way.
“Well done to everyone who voted for Connect2.”
The bid was put forward by leading sustainable transport charity Sustrans.
Its chief executive officer, John Grimshaw, said: “This is a fantastic Christmas present! We are delighted that Sustrans’ Connect2 has proved itself the people’s favourite in the public vote and won the £50m from the Big Lottery Fund.
“We are immensely grateful to Cheshire County Council and everyone who got behind the three Cheshire schemes to make their votes count.
“But the hard work starts now and there will be a huge amount to be done to make sure we fulfil all our obligations to the Big Lottery Fund.
Ultimately, the real winners will be those thousands of people who will now be able to Connect2 their shops, schools, workplaces and each other every day!”
