Businesses back £50m bid

Hotels, shops, schools and even buses are backing the bid to bring £50million to the Black Country.

The Urban Park project has captured the imagination of people across the region.

Plans include the unveiling of forgotten caverns beneath Dudley, a 12-mile "green bridge" park linking Walsall and West Bromwich and regeneration of Wolverhampton's canal network.

Matt Ward, manager of the Novotel hotel in Wolverhampton, said: "This would mean such a lot for the area and for the people who live and work here, but it needs everyone's backing to make it a reality.

"I would urge the people of Wolverhampton to come and find out more at the presentation here on December 5 at 6pm.

"They will enjoy a night out and get involved in what we hope will be the beginning of a new era for the region.

"We have an amazing heritage in the Black Country and this project would enable us to show it in its true glory, as the industrious yet beautiful area it is, and will give us a region that future generations can be proud of."

Even world champion darts player Raymond "Barney" van Barneveld took time out to back The Black Country bid for The People's Millions when he stayed at the Novotel.

Children from Smestow School & Sports College are urging everybody to vote for the Black Country to win.

Under the proposals Newbridge playing fields would have a new 'dual use' pavilion with changing rooms and boating facilities for use by the local community, visitors and canal users.

Pupil Daniel Long-greatorex, aged 14, from Tettenhall, says he likes playing cricket so is behind anything which improves parks and green spaces in the Black Country.

"We play a lot in our school grounds but I would enjoy using Newbridge playing fields if these new facilities were installed," he says.

"Most people my age like playing outdoor sports but can be put off when there are not any changing rooms."

Pupil Leah McInnis, 15, from Dunstall, added: "I like to play netball and rounders and if I had a park like this near me I would definitely use it.

"If there were organised sports events at parks and green spaces in Wolverhampton I would definitely use them."

ITV will air a one-off, 15-minute programme about the Urban Park project next at 11pm when Toyah Willcox will outline the Black Country scheme to the nation.

The Black Country bid is up against Sherwood Forest, Cornwall's Eden Project and Sustran's Connect2 cycle path project.

Seven hundred buses have been fitted with bumper stickers urging travellers and people throughout the West Midlands to vote for the Black Country

Travel West Midlands is backing the bid and spokesman Phil Bateman said: "We are taking this bid so seriously that we have launched 700 travelling billboards.

"These buses cover a huge number of miles and the banners will not only be seen by travellers but the many eyes that see the buses passing by.

"We are a company that is at the heart of the community and we want to show our support for the Black Country.

"We would urge other businesses in the area to encourage their staff and users to vote for the Urban Park."

Wolverhampton Racecourse is backing the Urban Park project by putting adverts in its racecards.

"We will be advertising the Urban Park bid until December 10, so that takes in eight fixtures," says marketing and entertainment manager Amanda Thomas. "We are supporting this because we want to bring investment to the area and this is something which will benefit everyone."

Higgs and Sons solicitors have encouraged their 170 members of staff to vote for the Black Country bid.

John Smith, practice manager, said staff at their branches in Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Kingswinford have Urban Park posters on their walls.

"Our senior partner Ian Shovlin sent an email out to all our staff urging them to go on the lottery website and vote positively for the Urban Park," says Mr Smith.

"We have been based in the Black Country since 1875 and our staff and clients are from this area so we are keen to do anything that brings support to the area."

Is your business backing the Urban Park project? If so leave a message at www.expressandstar.co.uk/vote50m

To vote for the Urban Park, log on to www.thepeoples50million.org.uk or phone lines will open on December 7. Voting ends at noon on December 10.

By Cathy Spencer