A scheme which will open up a new walking and cycling route linking Hereford city with Rotherwas and beyond has been included by Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, as part of their Connect2 bid for national lottery funding.
The project will be one of the 80 schemes making up the Connect2 bid and will be competing against five other projects for £50million of Lottery funding. The overall winner will be decided in December by a public vote on a national television programme.
Hereford’s scheme will offer a useful and environmentally friendly alternative for commuters going to the Rotherwas Estate as well as connecting leisure routes in the area and has received widespread support from landowners, businesses, community groups and individuals.
Michael Hainge, director of the environment, said: “Originally there were 130 schemes competing for inclusion in Connect2 and we are delighted Sustrans have chosen our scheme to be part of the final 80 projects included in the final bid.
“We see the new walking and cycling route as providing an integrated transport solution to one of the county’s key industrial areas. The project also demonstrates the council’s commitment to the future of the Rotherwas estate. The aim is to maximise the potential of a major employment area for the city, in part, by providing sustainable travel options on a par with other business parks throughout the region and beyond.
“The walking and cycle route will also help fulfil our ambitions to reduce traffic and emission levels in the city by providing a sustainable transport option for commuters,” he added.
The route across the River Wye at Welsh Water's works bridge has been made possible by the cooperation of Welsh Water and Sustrans.
Once in the industrial estate the route will follow the disused railway line as much as possible, providing an attractive and safe route throughout the estate. From this central route there will be a network of smaller links to serve businesses on the estate.
The most recent travel survey revealed around thirty per cent of Rotherwas commuters would be able to benefit from this walking and cycling link, allowing them to cut up to twelve miles a day off their journey to work.
By switching to this route commuters would not only be helping to reduce emissions and levels in Hereford city centre, but would also be choosing a healthier lifestyle too.
The Connect2 project will be competing against five other projects in a television vote this December for funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions.
A range of events are planned in the run-up to the vote and developments can be monitored on the Connect2 web site at http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/