
Residents can vote on a lottery bid to fund a boardwalk, which would open up the waterfront between Northam Bridge and Horshoe Bridge and link with a cycle route as far as Riverside Park.
The Ł3 million city council scheme, in partnership with sustainable transport charity Sustrans, would help reclaim Southampton’s waterfront and transform cycle and walk routes in the city.
The council says the new link would include steps down to the shore, and help to create a stunning circular river walk across the bridges and back to Riverside Park. It would provide an opportunity to see the waterfront, access play areas and open spaces, and enjoy the environment.
However, funding for the scheme, which Sustrans has named Connect2, depends on the outcome of a bid for Lottery funding for up to Ł50 million.
The boardwalk is just one of 79 nationwide Sustrans initiatives launched as part of Connect2. Each initiative involves overcoming barriers, building bridges and connecting people with vital areas of their communities.
If the bid is successful, Sustrans will spend Ł1.5million on the scheme, which would be match-funded by Southampton City Council.
Connect2 is up against three other schemes — all fighting it out to win the Lottery funding.
The four chosen proposals will be screened on ITV1 in 15-minute shows hosted by Lorraine Kelly during the week commencing December 3. The Connect2 project will be featured on Tuesday, December 4. Voting will take place online from November 26 at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk.
Telephone voting will take place during the weekend of December 7-10. And then the proposal with the most votes will be announced and the winner and will be granted the Ł50 million.
To vote for Connect2 and help make this vision a reality, you can text CONNECT2 to 80010 now, and on the night the lines open you will receive a text with the number to call to register your vote. Or you can find out more about Connect2 and register your support at www.sustransconnect2.org.uk.
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