By Conor Sharkey
STRABANE Council this week launched a series of events aimed at securing funding for a new pedestrian bridge.
Monday saw local development body Strabane 2000 officially kickstart a programme of awareness-raising activities aimed at getting local people to pledge their support for their bridges project 'Strabane – Crossing the River Mourne'.
When completed, the project will see the establishment of two pedestrian bridges – one at Meeting House Street to Melvin Park and the other from John Wesley Street to the Bradley Way area.
However UK-wide health promotion programme Connect2 recently agreed to part fund the bridges project if they can secure lottery funding of £50m. Six programmes are competing for the £50m windfall and the public will decide later this year which one they deem to be most beneficial to their community. If successful, Connect2 have vowed to improve local travel in 79 communities – including Strabane – by creating new walking and cycling routes.
Strabane 2000 chairman, councillor Jarlath McNulty explained: "We need everyone to pledge their support because Connect2 is one of six projects competing for a single grant of £50 million. We are facing tough competition and we need to demonstrate public support for the project. The winning project will finally be decided by a public vote on television in December 2007. So we need everyone to get involved now and register their support for Connect2 by completing the form on www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or by texting Connect2 to 80010."
Chairman of Strabane District Council, Councillor Gerard Foley added: "This is an exciting project for Strabane District Council. The creation of this new bridge will allow a safe place for local people to walk and cycle into the town and go about their day to day business. It will link the communities living on the north and south sides of the river and allow easy access to our schools, our businesses and our leisure faculties. We currently have only one access route across the River Mourne into our town centre for both pedestrians and vehicles. This narrow bridge is instantly recognisable and is a listed, historic bridge which cannot be altered substantially. I hope local people will recognise the merits in the development of this bridge and support council and Sustrans Connect2 in its bid for funding," Mr Foley said.
