Hereford's Connect2 bid links with schemes across the county

Herefordshire Council is working with groups and local authorities throughout the United Kingdom to promote the Connect 2 bid for £50m lottery cash to fund a series of footpaths, cycleways and bridge schemes.

Hereford's planned Connect2 footpath and cycleway, linking the city centre with Rotherwas, Holme Lacy and beyond, has received widespread support from local firms and organisations and is one of the 79 schemes throughout the United Kingdom making up the Connect 2 bid.

Leading UK sustainable travel charity Sustrans is co-ordinating the Connect 2 bid and, if successful, will make then make grants available to fund these schemes across the country, including the one in Hereford.

Charles Clark MP, chairman of the national steering group for Connect2, told a conference at Chester: "People understand the massive threat of climate change and the fact walking and cycling will improve their health. They want to change the lives they lead but don't know how best to go about it.

"This is where Connect 2 can make a real difference because it is all about providing actual routes that can be used by walkers and cyclists and providing practical ways to help people change their lives," he added.

The UK-wide Connect2 project is competing against five other projects for the National Lottery People's Millions funding.

The winner of this funding will be decided through a television vote on ITV expected to run during the weekend of December 8 and 9.

Councillor John Stone, attending the conference for Councillor Brian Wilcox, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "It is wonderful that a Hereford scheme is part of this national bid which will help to create sustainable routes throughout the country for walkers and cyclists and make a real difference to the lives of up to six million people.

"The Connect2 scheme is unique among the projects bidding for the Lottery funding because it will benefit the whole of the United Kingdom and I would urge all residents to vote for it," he added.

To be notified of the telephone number to vote in December, people should register their interest by registering on the web at http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/ or telephoning 0845 0581373. Alternatively you can register by texting "connect2" to 80010.