ALL the residents of St Neots will need to pull together later this year to help win the town enough cash to pay for a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. A television vote – due to take place in December – will see the town compete for funding again

ALL the residents of St Neots will need to pull together later this year to help win the town enough cash to pay for a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.

A television vote - due to take place in December - will see the town compete for funding against other projects from around the country.

But, if the town pulls together, St Neots could get a slice of £50million to pay for a bridge across the River Great Ouse, linking Eaton Socon and Eynesbury.

The vote - and the money - is part of a National Lottery scheme.

St Neots town councillor and Huntingdonshire district councillor Paul Ursell said the bridge was something that was much needed.

He told The Hunts Post: "All councillors are of one mind about this project. We all support it. We desperately need another point across the river. At the moment children who attend St Neots Community College and live in Eaton Socon have to either use the dangerous A428 or go through the town centre to get to school.

"Because these are long routes parents tend to drive their kids to school. Another bridge would hopefully ease congestion and cut down on pollution.

"This is something we have been campaigning for, for years and the town, district and county councils are all supporting this as well as residents."

St Neots Mayor Cllr Bob Eaton added: "I think it is a good idea. It is very much needed in the town and I would urge residents to vote for it in December.

"I also think another bridge is needed at the Priory Centre end of the river to cater for children who live in Eaton Ford and attend Longsands College. At the moment those children have to use the town bridge, which creates problems with congestion and pollution."

The project will be up against five other applications appearing on the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks competition.

Cambridgeshire County Council, together with sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, is urging people to get behind the bridge project being promoted by Sustrans under the banner of Connect2.

If Connect2 wins, a total of 79 of its UK walking and cycling projects will go ahead. Among them is the bridge at St Neots.

Cambridgeshire County Council's cycling officer Patrick Joyce said: "This is a chance for people to get behind a project to improve cycling and walking routes in the county. We hope as many people as possible will tune in to vote in December for Connect2."

The date of the televised vote will be released nearer to the time, but check The Hunts Post for further details.

INFORMATION: To find out more about the Connect2 projects or the new bridge for St Neots visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk