North West businesses have been urged by Derry Chamber Chief Executive Janice Tracey to support the Sustrans Connect 2 bid.

Indicating that benefits will be seen across the city, she said she was confident the bid would enhance the lives of the entire local community.

Backing the city’s bid to secure £1.2 million to revitalise walkways and cyclepaths and connect people to each other and their local environment, the Chief Executive said it was important the local community were part of the biggest public vote ever launched by the Big Lottery Fund and ensured Derry got its share of the available funds.

She commented: "This is a fabulous opportunity for the city to have one of the most joined up and well planned pedestrian and cycle links in Ireland. Whether for health, pleasure or environmental reasons, more and more people are choosing to cycle or walk either to and from work or at weekends.

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"This greenway link will make this safer and much more pleasant for the public. Of course the fact that the series of greenways and linking paths are centered around the proposed new footbridge connecting Ebrington to the Guildhall Square will mean that more people will have easier access to the city centre - a great opportunity for our shops and cafes."

Derry City Council is working in partnership with Sustrans and Ilex to deliver this project as part of improving community and leisure connectivity across the city. The People’s £50m contest is aimed at giving the public a greater say in where lottery money is spent. To make the project a success, the public are being urged to get behind the campaign. People can vote two ways, firstly online voting for The People’s £50m Lottery Giveaway which began on November 26 and closes at 12 noon on December 10.

The public will also have the opportunity to vote by phone on the closing weekend of this national campaign which will culminate in a live TV show announcing the winner. The number for phone votes will not be released until Friday 7th December however people can text ‘Connect 2’ to 80010 now and they will then have the relevant number automatically sent to their mobiles when it is released.

(GK)