December 6th
Black Country programme
is screened on ITV at
11.00 pm*
December 7th
Telephone numbers are announced – voting begins at 9.00am
December 10th
Voting ends at 12 noon
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Update
Black Country as an Urban Park - Project Goes on Despite Setback
13/12/2007Leaders of the ‘A Million People: Black Country as an Urban Park’ project have spoken of their disappointment after their bid for £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) lost out in the final vote.
They have vowed the ambitious scheme, for a £100 million environmental ‘revolution’ across Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell, will still become reality, albeit over a longer period of time.
Sarah Middleton, chief executive of the Black Country Consortium that led the joint bid, said: “It is a major disappointment but it is not a killer blow. The project will go ahead. It just won’t happen as quickly as if we had the £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund.
“Thirty three projects entered the competition two years ago and to have gone right to the finishing line is a significant achievement.
“For the ambitions of the Black Country to be recognised alongside these other internationally prestigious projects is a signal of the great strides the region is making. We congratulate Sustrans and wish them well.
“We have received fantastic support over the past few weeks, from people in the community, from business and from our partners. We thank them all and particularly the tens of thousands across the country and in the West Midlands who voted for us.
“This has been an extremely worthwhile venture. The Black Country has gained national recognition for its outstanding industrial heritage, its world-leading geology and the opportunities presented by its unrivalled network of canals and green spaces.
Continued
“Perhaps more importantly, it has brought so many people and diverse groups together in pursuit of a common cause, something we hope to build on as we go forward.
“So we will take a quick breath and move on. We will shortly be announcing the next steps in achieving Black Country as an Urban Park.”
The Urban Park will enrich the lives of more than one million people and includes the unveiling of forgotten underground caverns beneath Dudley, a 12-mile ‘green bridge’ park linking Walsall and West Bromwich town centres, an inspirational visitors centre at Barr Beacon and widespread regeneration of Wolverhampton’s canal network.
More than 800,000 people will become within a 15 minute walk of safe and attractive green space.
The partners are the Consortium, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell Councils and The Wildlife Trust of Birmingham and the Black Country.
The £50 million of Lottery funding would have supported the first five to ten years of up to 30 years of activity.
Councillor David Caunt, chair of the Consortium, said: “This decision does not change the fact the Black Country has a heritage of world importance and we and our partners remain firmly committed to driving this programme through, with the support of the community, to be enjoyed by people today and generations to come.”
He said each of the local authorities is already committing significant resources to support the creation of the Urban Park, and the Consortium is working closely with potential major funders including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency.
More Update Articles
Big Lottery People's Millions Website - Pledge Wall for Black Country as an Urban Park
14/12/2007
Black Country as an Urban Park - Project Goes on Despite Setback
13/12/2007
Schools Stand Up for the Black Country
10/12/2007
Teenagers Get Behind Black Country Vote
6/12/2007
Faith Communities Support Black Country Lottery Bid
6/12/2007
Cultural Leader Urges West Midlands to Get Behind £50 Million Lottery Bid
Black Country Gets Celebrity Support in Bid for Lotto Cash
6/12/2007
Balloon Race for the Black Country Urban Park
4/12/2007
Liam Byrne MP Backs The Bid
4/12/2007
Harry Potter Twins Add a Bit of Magic to Black Country's Bid to Win £50m Lottery Funding
3/12/2007
An End to Online Voting Problems
30/11/2007
Employee Takes Support to New Lengths
27/11/2007
Walsall College Pledge their Support
27/11/2007
Stars Queue Up to Support Black Country UP
16/11/2007
Green Urban Park Good News for Bird Enthusiasts
16/11/2007
Heart of England urge us to Stand UP
15/11/2007
West Bromwich Albion Players Back the Bid
15/11/2007
Urban Zoo Supports Urban Park
13/11/2007
David Bellamy stands ‘UP’ for the Black Country
Everyone can vote online, by telephone and by mobile. Make sure you Stand UP and Vote for the Black Country – details below.
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Online Pre-register and vote at thepeoples50million |
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Telephone Telephone number will be announced on December 7th and voting begins at 9.00am |
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Mobile Telephone number will be announced on December 7th and voting begins at 9.00am |
