Major bid to imrove cycling and pedestrian routes in capital

Sustrans' Connect2' is one of the projects being considered to compete for a single multi-million pound grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions competition. The winner will be decided by public TV vote in Winter 2007/08. Sustrans is working with partners around the UK to overcome long-standing barriers such as busy roads, railways or rivers that are dividing communities and making it difficult for people to travel by foot or bike as part of their everyday lives.

In London there are proposals to improve sustainable transport routes at seven points around the capital, providing links between boroughs and making cycling and walking easier, safer and more pleasant for millions of Londoners details of the schemes are shown below.

Carl Pittam, Sustrans' Regional Director for London, says, "We are asking people who would like to see these improvements made to London's cycling and pedestrian routes, to take a minute to register their support on our website by 23 April - it could make all the difference. These projects are being considered for inclusion in the shortlist that we shall present to the Big Lottery Fund at the end of May. The more support there is, the more likely it is that the whole Connect2' bid will be successful."

M/F You can pledge support for Connect2 by visiting www.sustransconnect2.org.uk, and adding your comments on one of the London projects, or by calling the Sustrans information line number - 08450 581 373.

Details of the proposed Connect2 schemes for London: Bermondsey, Senegal Bridge links This proposed project lies in the heart of a densely populated area of southeast London characterised by major roads and railway lines. Pedestrian and cycle movement is currently difficult, and a high accident record on the area's roads is testament to the poor conditions.

This project would make use of a disused rail bridge and former track beds.

When complete it would be a direct traffic-free connection between Rotherhithe New Road in Southwark and Surrey Canal Road in Lewisham. It would give people access to South Bermondsey Station without having to cross a busy main road, and would make possible numerous north-south and east-west journeys by foot or bike.

Bethnal Green, new bridge over Regents Canal to Mile End Park This scheme will build on the work already being done to transform this part of the East End. A new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Regents Canal in Mile End Park will be the hub of a network of priority routes for walkers and cyclists connecting Bethnal Green to Bow and the Olympic Park beyond. This will allow journeys between these dense residential areas and their schools, hospitals and shops to be made in a pleasant, traffic-free environment, avoiding busy Mile End Road and Roman Road. The local community and students at the University of London campus will have improved access to the green spaces of Meath Gardens, Mile End Park and Victoria Park and an attractive route to the Olympic Games. By developing high quality walking and cycling routes, the residents of Bethnal Green will have increased access to social and economic opportunity - this scheme can truly improve people's lives.

Croydon Park links Three projects will link densely populated parts of the London Borough of Croydon to some of the area's finest green spaces. One project uses a former rail line to link the communities of Addiscombe and Woodside to South Norwood Country Park, whilst another builds on the success of the Wandle Trail with a connection into East Croydon. Proposals include a crossing of the Croydon tram line, a highly popular system but one that can be a barrier to cycling and walking.

By connecting people to parks, this project creates the opportunity for local people to make more journeys on foot or by bicycle.

Havering, Ingrebourne Valley links London's Ingrebourne River runs from Dagnam Park in the north to the River Thames in the south, passing through Harold Hill, Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. Havering Borough have been working hard to develop a cycling and walking Greenway along the river, with useful links reaching into the local community to sites such as St Georges Hospital. This proposal aims to overcome the barrier to a continuous route presented by two A' roads in the middle, and to continue the network between the roads.

Islington, cycling and walking routes This network links the green spaces of Highbury Fields with both Finsbury Park and Caledonian Park. The main route will run north from Highbury Fields to Drayton Park and on past the Emirates Stadium. Gillespie Park then carries the route on to the recently upgraded Finsbury Park Station and interchange, and then into the park itself. Caledonian Park, soon to be improved, will be linked into Highbury Fields via Paradise Park. This route will include an improved crossing of Holloway Road and greater accessibility to the landscaped grounds surrounding St Mary Magdalene's Church. The Connect2 network will make cycling and walking journeys easier and more attractive for local people as well as aiding the huge numbers of spectators who travel to the Emirates Stadium for matches.

Paddington, Westbourne railway bridge and links A narrow, twisting bridge with stepped access crosses the many railway lines approaching Paddington Station. Cyclists and walkers wanting to travel from the Bayswater to Maida Vale areas can risk the bridge or, as many choose, take a considerable detour and use the Great Western Road or the Paddington Basin.

This scheme will see the construction of a new, straight, wider bridge, with ramped access that will be at the heart of a network of cycle and pedestrian priority routes, linking in to existing networks. Kensington Gardens, Westbourne Green, Kilburn, Kensal Green and the new City Academy will be connected by routes that prioritise walkers and cyclists. The new network and bridge, as well as improvements to two existing bridges over the Grand Union Canal, will mean journeys through Westbourne Green will often be quicker, and certainly more attractive, when made on foot or by bike.

Wanstead Park connection When complete, the Roding Valley Way will be an important cycle and walking route that runs through East London from Redbridge to the River Thames. This scheme would complete a crucial missing link close to Wanstead Park, and would create new attractive walking and cycling routes to the east and west. Making use of the existing crossing of the North Circular will allow a network of routes to develop linking Leytonstone, Forest Gate, Manor Park, Ilford, Cranbrook and Gants Hill to the green spaces of Wanstead.

To find out more about these schemes, to and register support and comments, contact Sustrans, the charity behind Connect2, by visiting the website www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or calling the information line 08450 581 373.