Sustrans' Connect2 scheme wins lottery grant
In 2007 the Council joined up with sustainable transport charity
Sustrans in its 'Connect2' bid
which competed with three other organisations for a Big
Lottery Fund grant that was decided by a public vote on ITV1
in December 2007. The Council’s A10 footbridge project was
one of the 79 elements contained in the bid.
Each bid was subject to a television programme and the
Council's A10 footbridge project featured in the
supporting documentary for the 'Connect2' bid. Voting took place
online and by phone following the television shows. In December
2007 the Big Lottery Fund announced that Sustrans’ Connect2 was the
winner of The People’s £50 Million Lottery contest; the biggest
ever award to be decided by a public vote.
'Connect2' obtained 42 per cent of the public vote to win the
lottery grant.
| Scheme |
Percentage of vote |
Total votes |
Online votes |
Telephone votes |
| Sustrans' Connect2 |
42 per cent |
119,348 |
59,390 |
59,958 |
| The Black Country |
29 per cent |
83,556 |
26,785 |
56,771 |
| Sherwood |
17 per cent |
48,822 |
18,438 |
30,384 |
| Eden Project - The Edge |
12 per cent |
34,559 |
15,758 |
18,801 |
Sustrans' 'Connect2' scheme
The 'Connect2' scheme is about connecting people to people and
people to places, as well as creating a sense of community pride.
The scheme aims to change the way people think about their local
area so walking and cycling become their first and natural choice
for everyday journeys. It aims to overcome long standing barriers
such as busy roads, railways or rivers that are dividing
communities and making it difficult for people to travel by foot or
bike as part of their everyday lives. 'Connect2' is a £142 million
scheme consisting of £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund grant
and £92 million in match funding by local
authorities for individual projects.