19 June 2008

Chester is to receive £2.4 million funding for cycling initiatives over the next three years following an announcement today (Thursday) by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly.

Cheshire County Council and Chester City Council made a joint bid for money from the Cycling Demonstration Towns project.

Potential schemes under the spotlight include the creation of the Deva Link Steps linking Saughall Road and Parkgate Road, money towards the Connect2 scheme for a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Dee located a mile upstream from Queen’s Park Bridge and the extension of the Millennium Cycleway to Guilden Sutton and Mickle Trafford.

The bid received support from a wide range of businesses, community groups and sports clubs including Chester Renaissance, The Duke of Westminster, The Grosvenor Hotel and the Roodee Racecourse.

County Council Executive Member for Highways and Transportation Eveleigh Moore-Dutton said: “The announcement is extremely exciting and is a real boost for cycling in Chester.

The funding will be spent on a variety of projects over the next two and a half years which will also include cycle training for children and adults as well as the promotion and marketing of all the cycle routes in the city, for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”

Chester City Council Executive Member for Environment Councillor Jill Houlbrook said: “I am absolutely delighted the bid has been successful. This is just the impetus we need to support and encourage cycling in and around Chester.

“My thanks go to all the officers who worked so very hard to compile the bid and to everyone involved with this wonderful result.”

Executive Member for the Environment for the Shadow Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Neil Ritchie said: “This is great news for Chester as it will build on the work that has already been done to increase safe cycling access throughout the city and especially to and around the city centre.

“The promotion of good cycling routes and more and better training for young people and people of all ages will help create a more vibrant, prosperous and active city and it is hoped that this project, together with Chester’s successful Connect2 Lottery bid last year, will demonstrate more widely that we can increase accessibility in our towns and cities in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

“This will be an important and welcome project for the new council of Cheshire West and Chester to take forward.”

Chester Cycling Campaign’s David Robinson, who was part of the bidding team, welcomed the exciting announcement. “Chester Cycling Campaign is delighted with the news. It worked with the two councils to promote the bid and now looks forward to a programme that will provide better access to the city centre, increased cycle training and progress with the Connect2 projects.

“What we want is more people cycling, more safely and more often. After all in terms of cost, health and its benefits for the environment, cycling wins hands down.”

For more information contact Michael McGivern on 01244 402362.

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