The national active travel charity, Sustrans, is inviting residents of York, Chester-le-Street, Castleford, Bury, and Liverpool/Southport to have their say on who should be immortalised in steel across their local cycling route in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
From famous authors or Olympians, to celebrities, businesspeople and pillars of the community, Sustrans’ Portrait Benches campaign has already installed over 250 of these life-sized sculptures across the UK, with the last one unveiled over 11 years ago.
Thanks to new funding from the Department for Transport, residents of the town are once again being given the opportunity to nominate who they think these new benches should represent from the past 70 years (alive or passed).
<Credit – Jon Bewley – Sustrans>
Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans Director for the north of England, explained: “We’re committed to ensuring that the National Cycle Network continues to enable as many people as possible to walk, wheel, cycle, and run, and that we celebrate our local communities, cultures, and heritage on the routes.”
“We’re thrilled to be inviting the public once again to have their say on who the new figures will represent,” added Rosslyn, “Nominating is simple and takes just a few minutes, but will provide us with valuable insight on who our local communities feel would be most deserving of this special recognition.”
Sustrans is custodian of the National Cycle Network which spans 12,000 miles of signed cycling routes, including over 5,000 miles of traffic-free paths.
Nominations can be made from 09:00 on 21st March and will close on 23:59 on 11th April 2022 and can be placed at www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/portrait-benches-project-2022/. T&Cs apply.
Nominations for the Portrait Benches will be reviewed by Sustrans alongside dedicated partners, with each confirmed figure agreed on and the final design approved. Renowned artist Katy Hallett will fabricate each piece, with official installation and unveiling to be carried out later this year.
About Sustrans
Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute.
For more information visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-services.
Sustrans is a registered charity no. 326550 (England and Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland).