Lottery cash support confirmed for Royston underpass project
ROYSTON S new underpass moved a step closer to reality this week with the confirmation of �700,000 of lottery funding. Sustainable transport charity Sustrans signed paperwork this week formalising their financial commitment to the Hertfordshire County Cou
ROYSTON'S new underpass moved a step closer to reality this week with the confirmation of �700,000 of lottery funding.
Sustainable transport charity Sustrans signed paperwork this week formalising their financial commitment to the Hertfordshire County Council led project.
Nigel Brigham, Sustrans' Regional Director, said: "Once open in spring 2011 this subway and its network of convenient shortcuts will really transform everyday journeys in this part of Royston.
"Children will be able to walk to school in minutes, rather than be driven the long way round. Not only is it good for their health, it's good for the environment too."
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The underpass, which will cost an estimated �3.7million, will be sited at Coombes Hole, and will link the Burns Road estate with the rest of Royston. It will also see the town's cycle lane network upgraded.
It received the support of Sustrans after the charity's Connect2 project was successful in a Big Lottery fund television vote, held in December 2007.
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Stuart Pile, Hertfordshire county council's executive member for highways and transport, said: "People in Royston have been asking for a long time for a way to cross the railway line and join the two parts of the town so we are very grateful to Sustrans for funding this project through their Big Lottery Fund grant.
"We are also grateful to the people of Royston and all the other parts of the UK who voted in such numbers for Connect2 to win the lottery funding."
The underpass project has been criticised in some quarters, with residents in the area expressing fears that it will lead to anti-social behaviour taking place near their homes.
However, in a letter to The Crow last week, Cllr Pile said: "Our plans have incorporated feedback from public consultation and we believe that they meet the needs of the majority of people.
