Watermead Campaign

A public vote brought £1.4 million improvements to Watermead Country Park.

The Connect2 Project for Watermead Country Park will improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people. Including new road crossings in Syston and Cossington, accessible bridges at Thurmaston and Birstall Locks and improved paths through the park and to Leicester’s existing cycle network.

Connect2 is a national project consisting of 79 community based schemes around the UK, is competing for the Big Lottery Fund’s: The People’s £50 Million contest against three other projects nationally. The winner will be decided by an online vote starting on 26th November and televised public vote in December. If Connect2 wins, communities in the Midlands will benefit from over £7.5m funding (£7,525,000).

The online vote was officially launched by local primary school children at the Peepul Centre in Leicester on 27 November.

Connect2 featured in an ITV1 programme introduced by Lorraine Kelly on 4 December 2007.
Voting took place online and by phone.

Children from Catherine Junior School, Leicester launch the online vote at the Peepul Centre, with County Councillor Ernie White, and City Councillor Manjula Sood.