A LONG-awaited Bury project for cyclists and walkers has been shortlisted for inclusion in a television vote to receive lottery funding.

The Woolfold Gap Connect2 scheme would complete the Kirklees Trail on the former Holcombe Brook railway line by extending it 1km from Pickering Close to Brandlesholme Road.

When connected with the Woodhill bike path, it would be a safe, green and traffic-free route stretching from Greenmount to Bury town centre. The extension would include a new bridge across the Kirklees Brook to replace the railway viaduct that was demolished in 1974. The project is expected to cost £850,000. The Woolfold Gap is one of a number of similar schemes included in Sustrans' Connect2' project, which is competing for a multi-million pound grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions competition.

The winner will be decided by public TV vote in December.

Graham Atkinson, Bury Council's executive director for environment and development, said: "Support from the Big Lottery Fund would trigger the development of this long-awaited scheme. The extension of the trail would offer people a pleasant alternative to driving into Bury town centre, cutting down on traffic congestion and pollution and allowing them to enjoy magnificent scenery along the way. Please pledge your support for our project on the website www.sustransconnect2.org.uk and by voting when the TV programme is shown this winter."