Connect2 : Bridging Transport Gaps

The charity's Chief Executive John Grimshaw explains:-
"We're working on a total of seventy-nine Connect2 projects in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland ,two of which are in Lincoln." He welcomes Connect2 being shortlisted for a grant of some £50m in the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks 'The People's Millions' competition, up against five other schemes, with the winner to be ultimately decided by a public vote on ITV1 in December.

The projects have already gathered public support with comments from local residents such as:
"Long overdue. A wonderful idea which will give us a pleasant rural pathway, for accessing services in Bassingham, but also provide a leisure facility and enable us to leave the car at home."
"Whilst visiting friends in Carlton-le-Morlands we often take walks in the surrounding countryside. This pathway would provide a safe means of walking to Bassingham"
"This pathway would provide safe linking of sister villages eliminating the current need to transit along a busy rural road. It would have amenity value as a stimulating walk and an opportunity to see and appreciate wildlife in the countryside."
"This is a brilliant idea. It will make such a difference to the village. It is long overdue and we all look forward to being able to go to Bassingham without our cars and on a safe route."
Connect2 in Lincolnshire needs your support, please visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or text connect2 to 80010 and Sustrans will keep you informed of how and when to vote.

Further details on the schemes:

Holdingham and Sleaford over A17
Residents of Leasingham are only 2 miles from the centre of Sleaford, with its secondary schools, railway station, shops and all the other facilities a town offers. All are potentially within easy walking and cycling distance. However, the busy A17 with its fast multi-lane roundabout at Holdingham creates a very real barrier to anyone wanting to walk or cycle this short distance from the village into town.
This project will overcome the problem of crossing the A17 and also the road narrowing over the railway line in Sleaford itself, to provide an attractive, safe and direct route for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users. Once complete, users will be able to ignore the A17 completely, travelling over it on a bridge and then following a traffic-free route all the way from Leasingham right into the centre of town.

Carlton-le-Moorland and Bassingham Link
These two Lincolnshire villages are typical of so many settlements in our trafficked countryside. They are scarcely 1 mile apart and separated by a small main road. The volume of traffic and speed of vehicles between the two does however mean that walking and cycling is neither pleasurable nor safe, forcing local residents into their cars.
All this is to be changed by making a wonderful field-edge promenade that will serve as a route for everyday journeys and a leisure resource throughout the year.

Gill Harrison
Press and PR Manager
Sustrans
0117 915 0108