Linear park scheme successful

2:23pm Thursday 13th December 2007

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A BID to create a linear park on the Rosegrove to Padiham railway line has been successful.

Connect 2 Sustrans' bid, which is made up of 80 projects throughout the country including the linear park scheme, won the £50m award in a public vote announced on the People's Millions lottery show.

The bid to regenerate the former Rosegrove to Padiham railway line involves creating a more attractive walk and cycleway which will link the local communities.

Councillors believe that more investment will come to the area on the back of the funding.

In the long term it is hoped to extend the path on the old railway onto Great Harwood.

Links with the canal would also allow riders to travel through to places including Blackburn or Barnoldswick.

Marcus Johnstone, the county council's cabinet member for children and young people and member for Padiham said:" I'm really pleased that we won the bid.

"I have been wanting something to be done with the railway line since I took up my role in 2001.

"It is the combination of hard work of a number of people over a number of years. More and more investment is coming into Padiham and hopefully even more will come in now.

"The bulk of the work will be started in the spring but the railway lines will be lifted after Christmas.

"The rubbish will be removed from along the railway line and greenery planted, It should be a really nice place for people to come for a walk or ride a bike."

Lilian Clark, councillor for Rosegrove and Lowerhouse, said:" It's great news that the bid has been successful. The Rosegrove area is really deprived and needs positive things to help boost the community.

"Our children need somewhere to play that's safe and nice to play and this should provide it.

"Hopefully more investment will come to the area on the back of this."

Brian Parkinson, chairman of Rosegrove Action Group said:"It's brilliant news that the bid has been successful. It's going to be a really positive thing for the area.

"It will provide somewhere for children to play without parents worrying about cars. It is something that will really benefit the area and everyone in it.

There were five other bids competing for a £50 million award, including the Eden Centre and Sherwood Forest.