By Conor Sharkey
STRABANE District Council launched a major drive this week to get people voting for the Sustrans Connect 2 Bridge Project.
But what is the Bridges Project exactly and what are the public being urged to vote for?
The origins of the big voting drive goes back ten years, when, following public consultation, Strabane 2000 identified the need for two pedestrian and cycle bridges over the River Mourne. The idea was to link the communities from the north and south of the river in a safe and convenient manner.
At the start of 2006 a bridge project assessment panel and a Development Brief was prepared. Meanwhile, expressions of interest were invited from a select list of suitably qualified international bridge designers to provide a design concept for the two bridges.
Five expressions of interest were received by June 16 2006 and a technical brief issued to interested teams by June 30.
The winning design by Roughan and O'Donovan, Dublin, was officially announced on March 27 2007 at a ceremony in Strabane District Council Offices.
So where does the public come into the equation in helping make sure the bridges become a reality?
UK-wide health promotion programme Connect2 have agreed to part fund the bridges project, but only if they manage to secure a single lottery grant of £50m.
Six programmes are competing for the £50m windfall and the public are now being asked which programme they deem to be most beneficial to their community.
It's as simple as this - if the people of Strabane come out in force and help Connect2 secure the £50m lottery grant, Strabane's text, phone, and internet votes will be physically transformed into the town's long awaited walking and cycling bridges.
Internet voting for Connect2 is now open at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk And if you don't have access to the internet, look for the programme about Connect2 on ITV1 this coming Tuesday, December 4, or text Connect2 to 80010. Alternatively, you can phone the lo-call number 0845 058 13 73 and the voteline number will be sent to you by December 7.
