Green travel bid for lottery millions

A scheme to transform walking and cycling links in the borough has been chosen by Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, to be part of its Connect2 bid for lottery millions.

The Council's Connect4 scheme beat off competition from over 400 similar schemes nationwide to join the 79 schemes in the Sustrans Connect2 project.

Sustrans were impressed with the way the Connect4 scheme will create links between the borough's four townships and with Oldham. There was also praise for the way partners will find extra cash to pay for the £1.6 million scheme to top up a £450,000 share of lottery money.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Cabinet member for the Environment and Sustainability, who is chairing the Steering group for Rochdale's Connect4 scheme explains: "Connect4 is about connecting people to people and people to places.

"It aims to change the way people think about their area, making walking and cycling their first and natural choice for everyday journeys. Long-standing barriers such as busy roads, railways or rivers are dividing communities and make it difficult for people to walk or bicycle.

"Connect4 is about overcoming these barriers. The project will connect the centre of Rochdale to the centres of Middleton, Heywood, Littleborough and Oldham, with the canal towpath forming the spine for a network of safe and attractive walking and cycling routes."

The whole of the Connect2 project will now compete for a single grant of up to £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks, the People's Millions Competition. The winner will be decided by public vote on television in December.

Dan Griffiths, the Council's Sustainability Officer, said: "We will be organising a major Connect 2 event on 27 September to raise awareness for the project and get as many people as possible involved."