Frequently Asked Questions
What's been happening in the year since the vote announcement - is my local scheme still going ahead?
There were 79 schemes selected for the final list and all currently remain on schedule to be completed by 2013. Please remember that this is a five year project and that some schemes will progress quicker than others. Sustrans is working very closely with local partners across all schemes to make each one a reality. We will publish any news on each and every one of the 79 schemes as we get it right here on the Sustrans' Connect2 website.
What is the Big Lottery Fund's People's £50 Million Contest?
In June 2005 the Big Lottery Fund and ITV announced a competition to find the winner of a £50 million National Lottery grant. The search was on for a groundbreaking project that would inspire communities to revitalise the areas where they live.
There were 33 entries to the competition. The Big Lottery Fund assessed the bids, identified a long list of 13 projects and in August 2006 awarded six projects, including Sustrans' Connect2, development grants to take their plans forward to the next stage. In October 2007 the Big Lottery Fund decided just four projects ( Sustrans’ Connect2, Eden Project: The Edge, Sherwood: The Living Legend and Black Country as Urban Park) would go through to the final.
The four shortlisted projects were put forward to the public vote, which was carried out online and by telephone following a television programme about each project on ITV1. On Wednesday 12 December Sustrans’ Connect2 was announced as the winner, taking 42% of the votes and winning the £50 million prize.
What should I do if I have forgotten my password for the photo gallery?
You can request a new password by completing your details on the photo gallery reset password page
My organisation would like to show our support for a local Connect2 scheme. How can we add our logo to the project page?
Please send your details to connect2@sustrans.org.uk and attach your logo for inclusion.
Who should I contact to request press information on Connect2?
If you are a member of the media interested in finding out more about Connect2 please email the press office on press@sustrans.org.uk or tel 0117 927 7555.
How can I subscribe/unsubscribe from Connect2 e-news?
To join or leave the Connect2 e-news list, please complete our online sign-up form.
Who should I contact with feedback on this website?
We welcome feedback on our website. Please complete the Contact Us form.
Who are Sustrans?
Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity working on practical projects so people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. We are the charity behind the National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It and TravelSmart, all projects that are changing our world one mile at a time. Find out more at www.sustrans.org.uk
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About Connect2
Sustrans’ Connect2 is revitalising walking and cycling in 79 communities across the UK by creating new routes for the local journeys we all make every day. Crossings and bridges are being created over busy roads, railway lines and rivers, linking into new networks of local paths to get you to where you want to go by foot or bike. Connect2 is making it possible for you to travel to the shops, school, work, the park or to see family and friends under your own stream, benefiting both your health and our environment.
In December 2007 this ambitious UK-wide project won the public vote in the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks: The People’s £50 Million contest meaning 79 Connect2 schemes will transform local travel in communities from Ballymoney to Bradford, Cardiff to Carlisle and London Paddington to Perth. As a result many more of us will be able to get around on foot or by bike, helping us to get fit and active and to reduce our carbon footprint.
Who will benefit from Connect2?
Sustrans calculates that around 6 million people in the UK (10% of the population) will benefit from the 79 schemes once they have all been delivered. Schemes will connect to over two thousand doctors’ surgeries and clinics, more than eight hundred supermarkets and over three thousand places of worship. The new routes will enhance links to 2,800 schools and will benefit nearly a million pupils (within a mile of a scheme) in addition to providing for commuters and the rest of the local community. We forecast 61.5 million walking and cycling trips per annum on completion, and savings of 79,500 tons of carbon emissions.What will a Connect2 scheme look like?
Each Connect2 scheme will be inspirational in design but sensitive to the character and needs of the local area. Our intention is to create attractive and welcoming networks of walking and cycling routes, making local travel healthier, safer and more enjoyable for people of all ages. We also plan to work with local people and organisations to create an environment in which you can take real pride.Who are Sustrans?
Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. We are the charity behind the National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It and TravelSmart, all projects that are changing our world one mile at a time. For more information visit www.sustrans.org.uk
Beyond Connect2...
Connect2 schemes have the potential to help transform your local area into a sustainable transport town. Sustrans other projects can combine with Connect2 in the future to make this a reality. The links below provide you with a flavour of some of the other exciting projects we are working on:
National Cycle Network - The UK Network that now passes within a mile of half the population.
Active Travel - Active Travel works with policy-makers and practitioners to promote walking and cycling.
Bike It - Bike It is increasing the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys.
Links To Schools - Funded by Cycling England, the Sustrans Links to Schools project is in it's fifth year and local authorities across England are working with Sustrans to connect schools and their communities to their local cycle networks.
TravelSmart - TravelSmart offers help and information to people looking to change how they travel.
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Connect2 Champion
"I'm delighted that we won the £50 million and really proud to hear that the first completed project is in Scotland. Well done to Sustrans and their partners for giving people a great cycling and walking network and for bringing a local landmark back to life." Lorraine Kelly
"Making it easy for millions of people to change their world by walking and cycling to the local places they want to go"
