The Black Country’s bid to create a spectacular underground world today raced ahead as the favourite to win a £50 million Lottery windfall as voting got under way.
Click here to find out how to vote.
The early favourite in The People’s Millions vote, televised in December, was The Eden Project in Cornwall.
But bookmakers William Hill today said that has been pushed out and they now make the Black Country’s Urban Park plans joint favourite for the cash along with a proposal for a national cycle network. Both have been given odds of 5-6.
It leaves the project to expand The Eden Project trailing in the betting stakes along with a planned improvement of the famous Sherwood Forest.
Celebrity wildlife expert David Bellamy will launch the Black Country’s bid at a bash being held at Walsall FC tonight.
William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “Our gut instinct is that it will be between the Black Country scheme and the cycle network. They are joint favourites.
“The Eden Project has been completely pushed out now and these are the two we are looking at.”
Dudley geologist Graham Worton said: “I am delighted we are now favourites. More is at stake for the Black Country than there has ever been before, this is a one-off chance for the region.”
It is expected bookmakers will begin taking bets from Wednesday after a wrangle with Lottery chiefs is sorted out. If the Black Country bid is successful it will mean giant hidden caverns beneath Dudley will be opened up to the public, a network of canals will be improved and illuminated and a “green bridge” linking Walsall and West Bromwich will be created.
Telephone lines open from December 7. The winner will be announced live on TV on Wednesday December 12.
2 Comments
A BIT LIKE HOW NOBODY USED THE LOTTERY TO GET £10MILLION FOR BRIERLEY HILL BATHS……
REMINDER : WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
THE BRIERLEY HILL COUNCILLORS WHO BUILT THOSE SWIMMING BATHS MUST BE TURNING IN THEIR GRAVES.SHAME ON YOU NOW !
SUMO Bruce - Shut Up and Move On