Sustrans works to help people to travel in ways that benefit health and the environment. Their Connect2 project is an innovative approach to the Living Landmarks competition; it is not limited to a single region, but covers improvements to local travel of potential benefit to 6 million people in nearly 80 areas in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Norwich is one of them. The Big Lottery Fund and Living Landmarks After winning through to the final selection of projects for the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks:The People's Millions competition, Connect2 ame out a clear winner over the with three rival projects (Eden Project's 'The Edge' Biome; the Black Country Urban Park; Sherwood Forest: the Living Legend), capturing about 42 per cent of the puiblic vote. The Fund announced the finalists for the TV vote on 23rd October 2007; in December, a week of Living Landmarks programmes was presented on ITV, culminating in a TV vote which decided the winner of a grant of up to £50m. The Local Authorities and Connect2 Connect2 fits in with the Greater Norwich Development Partnership's plans for a network of paths to link the city with Whitlingham and beyond. The Lottery funding will supplement funding that the Partnership hopes to get from central government, to provide these new links. National campaign - local action A national campaign started in all the communities in the Connect2 project to win support for the final vote. Sustrans co-operated with local organisations on the job, and asked Norwich Rivers Heritage Group to co-ordinate the campaign in Norwich because of its work to make our 'river gateway' accessible; the Group is working with Norwich City Council and other interested local bodies. Norwich Rivers Heritage Group The Group was set up in 2002, to support City Council proposals for opening up pedestrian and cycle links between the city and Whitlingham. In meeting its aims of raising awareness of the rivers heritage between the city and the Whitlingham area, influencing developments there and promoting public access, it has presented exhibitions, collected public responses, and published a Report on the River Gateway Project (2005). It works in co-operation with other local organisations and individuals concerned with Norwich's river environment. Contact details [for interviews, articles, pix, further information] Connect2 Steering Group: [Chairman, Matthew Williams] Norwich City Council: Brian Morrey, Norwich City Council executive member for environmental impact and transport
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