Lib Dem Councillors Backing Connect2 Project (Kenilworth and Southam Liberal Democrats)

Lib Dem Councillors Backing Connect2 Project

September 27, 2007 8:00 AM

cllr ann blacklock with john grimshaw of sustrans

Cllr Ann Blacklock with John Grimshaw, Chief Executive of Sustrans

Today is 'Connect2 Day' across the UK, when local communities across the country start a 10-week programme of publicity to gather massive public support for the Connect2 project.

What is Connect2? It's an exciting UK-wide project that aims to improve local travel in 79 communities by creating new walking and cycling routes for the local journeys we all make every day. It is one of six projects competing for a single grant of £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions. The winning project will ultimately be decided by public TV vote in December 2007.

Connect2 is being developed by Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity.

Following a visit by John Grimshaw, Sustrans Chief Executive, earlier in the year, one of the projects to make the national Connect2 short-list is right here in Warwick district. It's a scheme for walkers and cyclists linking Kenilworth to the University of Warwick and to Berkswell. This 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, County Councillor John Whitehouse (Liberal Democrat, Kenilworth Abbey) said:

"We hope to generate a lot of publicity and support for the Connect2 project over the next ten 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 (Liberal Democrat, 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."

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.

Full details of the Connect2 project (including the local scheme) can be obtained from the Sustrans Connect2 website www.sustransconnect2.org.uk, where people can register their support. Alternatively people can text Connect2 to 80010. Connect2 will then be able to keep them updated about its progress towards the TV vote in December.

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

Kenilworth and Southam Liberal Democrats