Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, has launched the Connect2 project aimed at improving sustainable local travel for communities across the UK.
Connect2 aims to improve local travel in 79 communities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by creating new walking and cycling networks for everyday journeys, thus reducing the number of unnecessary car journeys. This reduction in traffic will improve air-quality, help reduce carbon emissions, encourage people to get exercise and generally improve the safety and quality of life of people living in these areas.
By means of bridges, tunnels and other crossings the Connect2 project aims to overcome barriers like busy roads, rivers and railways so that many more people can reach their schools, workplaces, shops, green spaces, family and friends in a way that’s good for their health and the environment.
There are two Connect2 schemes local to Brighton:
The first is for a new harbour crossing in Shoreham. The proposed scheme would renew and widen the existing concrete bridge greatly improving its usability and making it easier for cyclists to use. Sustrans hopes that by creating such a direct and convenient route across the harbour that walking and cycling will become the obvious way of getting into the town centre.
The second project aims to link Bexhill with Hastings. This will be achieved by creating a new coastal link for cyclists and pedestrians around The Glyne Gap made possible by new sea defence works. The new route will be more direct and stop cyclists and pedestrians having to take the main road.
John Grimshaw, Sustrans' Chief Executive, said: “By making it easier to travel for local journeys on foot and by bike, Connect2 would bring huge potential health and environmental benefits, not just for local communities, but for the whole of the UK, now - and for generations to come. I urge people to support Connect2.”
The Connect2 project is one of six projects competing for a grant of £50 million from the National Lottery's Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions competition. The other short-listed projects are: the Eden Project’s The Edge, Somerset Waterlinks, the National Museum of Science & Industry’s Inspire in Swindon, The Black Country as Urban Park and Sherwood Forest: The Living Legend. The winner will be decided by a TV vote in December 2007.
Sustrans is also behind the National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It and TravelSmart projects.
For more information on these and the other 77 Connect2 projects see: http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk [1] you can also register your support the project by sending a text saying “Connect2” to 80010.