Frequently asked questions about Connect2.
Summary of scheme:
Connect2 is one of six projects which competed for £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund through an ITV show in December 2007. All the other projects proposed to spend the money in one single location, whereas Connect2 covered 79 different schemes the length and breadth of the country.
Connect2 is one of six projects which competed for £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund through an ITV show in December 2007. All the other projects proposed to spend the money in one single location, whereas Connect2 covered 79 different schemes the length and breadth of the country.
One of these is the Leicester Connect2 scheme centred around Watermead Country Park which got around £700,000 share of the £50 million. Further funding by local organisations including Leicestershire County Council, has brought the total project cost to over £1 million.
The scheme is led by Sustrans (the national cycling charity – responsible for the National Cycle Network) and brings together the City and County Councils, Charnwood Borough Council, local Parish Councils and local groups such as the Ramblers Association and Mosaic, who shape services for disabled people.
On the right is the original schematic map of the Connect2 project with the routes shown in dark green. Subsequently a different route was chosen for the northern section from the Wreake Bridge to Cossington.Q: What sort of things have happened as part of the scheme?
A: There are several routes into the park, but before the scheme these were difficult to use. Some of the paths and bridges were not accessible to all sectors of the community, for example the bridges at Thurmaston and Birstall locks. The bridge at Thurmaston was incredibly steep, impossible for someone using a wheelchair or with young children to negotiate. Even someone who normally has no difficulty walking would have found it particularly difficult in icy weather. The bridge was replaced by a new one with more gently slope approaches to make it easier to cross. Also a number of paths within the park have been hard surfaced to make getting around easier for all park users.
A: There are several routes into the park, but before the scheme these were difficult to use. Some of the paths and bridges were not accessible to all sectors of the community, for example the bridges at Thurmaston and Birstall locks. The bridge at Thurmaston was incredibly steep, impossible for someone using a wheelchair or with young children to negotiate. Even someone who normally has no difficulty walking would have found it particularly difficult in icy weather. The bridge was replaced by a new one with more gently slope approaches to make it easier to cross. Also a number of paths within the park have been hard surfaced to make getting around easier for all park users.
Q: Why have we tarmaced loads of paths?
A: We have tarmaced a number of paths to make them more serviceable. However the majority of the paths that have been hard surfaced were previously gravel paths, which were not only challenging for people with mobility difficulties, but also quite costly to maintain, and not particularly environmentally friendly as they needed frequent re-gravelling. A small number of 'new' paths were created, but these were on existing grass paths which used to get churned up and eroded from the amount of use they got. The pre-existing tarmac paths in the Country Park had attracted very few complaints and had blended in to the landscape very quickly.
A: We have tarmaced a number of paths to make them more serviceable. However the majority of the paths that have been hard surfaced were previously gravel paths, which were not only challenging for people with mobility difficulties, but also quite costly to maintain, and not particularly environmentally friendly as they needed frequent re-gravelling. A small number of 'new' paths were created, but these were on existing grass paths which used to get churned up and eroded from the amount of use they got. The pre-existing tarmac paths in the Country Park had attracted very few complaints and had blended in to the landscape very quickly.
Q: Have the new paths encouraged motorcyclists/ scooter riders to turn the park into a racetrack?
A: No. As anticipated the additional routes within the Park haven't changed the current situation. The Connect2 project has provided money to pursue various options to address the issue. The project also looked at how this has been done in other areas to ensure that we provided an appropriate balance. There are several types of anti-motor cycle barriers available, though experience has been the same as other locations where higher use by legitimate users deters most of the motorcyclists.
A: No. As anticipated the additional routes within the Park haven't changed the current situation. The Connect2 project has provided money to pursue various options to address the issue. The project also looked at how this has been done in other areas to ensure that we provided an appropriate balance. There are several types of anti-motor cycle barriers available, though experience has been the same as other locations where higher use by legitimate users deters most of the motorcyclists.
Q: What about street lighting in the Country Park?
A: It was originally proposed to install street lighting on a single route across the park between Thurmaston and Birstall. This would have been only used during the winter months (October to March) with the lights coming on in the morning until it is light and at dusk until about 8pm (i.e. the commuter period). However, at the planning permission stage it was agreed not to continue with this proposal.
A: It was originally proposed to install street lighting on a single route across the park between Thurmaston and Birstall. This would have been only used during the winter months (October to March) with the lights coming on in the morning until it is light and at dusk until about 8pm (i.e. the commuter period). However, at the planning permission stage it was agreed not to continue with this proposal.
Page Last Updated: 5 December 2012
