Lakeside North Harbour ‘goes the extra’ and sponsors a mile of Sustrans Route 22

Landmark business destination, Lakeside North Harbour Portsmouth, has teamed up with national charity Sustrans to sponsor a mile of Route 22 of the National Cycle Network which runs locally along Western Road, Portsmouth and past the Lakeside campus. Route 22 will connect from Banstead (near Epsom) right the way through Guildford, Petersfield, Havant and Portsmouth, to Ryde and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Sustrans runs the National Cycle Network, which now stretches to all four corners of the UK and covers over 14,000 miles running along traffic-free and quiet on-road routes. In 2014 the Network saw over 4.9 million people make 764 million trips by bike and on foot. The National Cycle Network has saved the UK economy more than £7  billion (equivalent to £1m a day) since it was established in 1995, by improving people’s health and reducing congestion, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. As a national charity, Sustrans works with communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people can choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys to enjoy better, safer spaces where they live. Karen Tyrrell, Client and Communications Manager at Lakeside North Harbour said: “As our campus is at the gateway to Portsmouth, it is important to us to ensure that we provide safe and easy access to our occupiers, whether travelling by foot, bus, car or pedal-power. With this in mind we are delighted to sponsor a mile of Route 22 of the national cycle network. “I believe that we are one of the first corporate sponsors in the area, and would encourage others to do so, to enable Sustrans to carry on the vital work that they undertake across the UK, but most importantly to the routes that are right on our doorstep.” Julian Hall, Director of Retail & Fundraising at Sustrans, said: “As a charity Sustrans spends on average £1.3m every year maintaining the sections of the National Cycle Network for which we are responsible, without any support from the government. Schemes like this where businesses sponsor sections of the Network or individuals Sponsor a Mile help us to fund essential maintenance. Sustrans is launching an appeal on 3rd March to help raise funds to pay for all the additional damage that has been caused by recent flooding; if you would like to make a donation please visit our website www.sustrans.org.uk “We also have a number of maps and books that people can buy to help them get out and enjoy the Network, including Sustrans’ Traffic-Free Cycle Rides which are also available on our website.” The Sponsor a Mile package is great for the cyclist that has everything, allowing businesses and individuals to sponsor any mile of the National Cycle Network for their colleagues, friends and family; including iconic routes such as Coast to Coast in the North and the Tarka Trail in Devon. Over one thousand miles have been sponsored already with the money raised helping Sustrans to maintain hundreds of miles of Network for which it is responsible. Sponsoring a Mile costs only £30 and business and individuals can pick from over 14,000 miles – in addition they will receive a personalised certificate, fridge magnet and regular updates. To find out more visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/mymile