Connect2 a healthier lifestyle

Connect2 wins public vote of confidence in healthier lifestyles

Sustrans’ success in winning £50m to improve cycling facilities across the country means Kent will benefit from more than a million pounds of investment in bike travel.

Sustrans Chief Executive John Grimshaw said the project would bring “real and lasting change to the everyday lives of millions of ordinary people all over the UK.

After the voting which saw the organisation beat off strong competition from other major schemes, he described the outcome as “a fantastic Christmas present.”

He added: “We are delighted that Sustrans’ Connect2 has proved itself the people’s favourite and won the £50m from the Big Lottery Fund.

“We are immensely grateful to Kent County Council and everyone who got behind the Kent schemes to make their votes count.

“Connect2 has engendered a huge amount of goodwill from all sectors. It has confirmed our belief that people want to walk and cycle more when given the right surroundings. 

“But the hard work starts now and there is a huge amount to be done to make sure we fulfil all our obligations to the Big Lottery Fund. Ultimately the real winners will be those thousands of people who will now be able to Connect2 their shops, schools, workplaces and each other every day!”

The five-year Connect2 scheme covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will see new or improved routes within a mile of around six million people, making a massive difference to health, the environment and quality of life now and for generations to come.

Connect2 aims to transform local travel and quality of life by making it easier for people to walk and cycle for local journeys.

It will create new walking and cycling routes and build bridges over rivers, railways and busy roads.

The 79 community-based projects include two in Kent - one at Dartford and the other at Whitstable and Reculver.