Bury’s iconic viaduct will create new walking and cycling networkCommunities across the nation – including people in and around Bury – voted in force for Sustrans’ Connect2 to win the TV vote to bring £50million from the Big Lottery Fund to create 79 walking and cycling networks for everyday journeys across the UK.Last week, the project to rebuild Woolfold Viaduct to connect Bury town centre to Tottington and Greenmount is a step closer as sustainable transport charity Sustrans and its Connect2 partners at Bury Metropolitan Borough Council sign the paperwork that will guide the development for the coming years.

This agreement, a Memorandum of understanding, confirms partners continued commitment to the project and pledges £450,000 from Sustrans' Connect2 lottery award to complete the viaduct, its ramp and the network of traffic-free paths and quiet roads which will connect walkers and cyclists across the town and out onto the Kirklees Trail to neighbouring countryside.

It is anticipated that work on the bridge will begin in 2011 and the scheme will open in 2012. The work will include a crossing of Brandlesholme Road for a more pleasant walking and cycling experience.

Dorothy Gunther, Bury Council’s portfolio holder for Environment and Transport says: "I am delighted that we have now confirmed the funding for this very important project. This reinstated viaduct and its network of routes will provide an essential link for walkers and cyclists alike and will help us try and minimise the impact of car traffic in the area."

Sustrans' Regional Director, Peter Foster says: "Rebuilding this viaduct will reconnect Bury to make walking and cycling the obvious choice for those daily journeys by foot and by bike to work, to school, and the shops. Not only that, it will create an iconic landmark feature for future generations to use and enjoy and I look forward to working with the council to complete this viaduct and its network of paths." This scheme has been made possible through the enormous popular support for Sustrans' Connect2 – as voted for by the public in the UK's largest lottery competition in December 2007.

Building on this public enthusiasm, the Friends of the Kirklees Valley act as a Steering Group and meet quarterly to guide the development of the scheme. The anticipated cost of the bridging the Woolfold Gap is £800,000, with £450,000 coming from the Big Lottery Fund as part of Sustrans Connect2. The lottery award will be added to locally sourced match-funding to transform local travel in 79 communities throughout the UK – changing the lives of six million people who live within a mile of a scheme. Over the next five years, nearly £30 million will be invested annually to create these local walking and cycling networks from Devon to Perthshire. Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through the Sustrans website.

For more information about the Connect 2 projects please visit the Sustrans website.