A national network of cycle and walking routes has been announced as the winner of The People's £50 Million Lottery contest.

The Sustrans: Connect2 scheme won 42 per cent of the 286,285 votes and beat three other shortlisted entries to collect the biggest-ever UK Lottery grant awarded by public vote.

John Grimshaw, CEO and founder of Sustrans, said: "To say I am delighted is such an understatement - this is fantastic news for Sustrans.

"But, more importantly, it is fantastic for the 79 communities and many other partners and local authorities across the UK with whom we have been working with the last years."

He continued: "We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us, but the hard work starts now to build those bridges, tunnels, crossings and networks of paths. Ultimately the real winners will be those millions of people who will now be able to Connect2 their shops, schools, workplaces and each other every day."

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The three other projects which missed out on the £50 million prize fund were the Eden Project: The Edge; Sherwood: The Living Legend; and Black Country Urban Park.

Sir Clive Booth, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, which distributes Lottery grant money, announced the winner. He said: “It really won hands-down. What did it was that public support was terrific. Given there were four projects, getting half the vote was a big achievement. I think it has captured people’s imaginations because it is going to affect their lives right across the UK.”

The Connect2 has 79 schemes planned across the UK and Northern Ireland. North West businesses had been urged by Derry Chamber Chief Executive, Janice Tracey to support the Sustrans Connect2 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

(JM)