Sturgeon announces first of £27million walking and cycling infrastructure projects

A new walking and cycling route in the north of Glasgow, the regeneration of Ayr town centre and green infrastructure travel links in Aberdeen, are amongst a number of active travel projects revealed by first minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday at the SNP conference.

The projects are amongst more than 200 across Scotland receiving a total of £27 million of funding through walking and cycling charity, Sustrans Scotland’s and Transport Scotland’s flagship programme providing advice, support and infrastructure for walking and cycling Places for Everyone. Details of the Programme’s major projects were announced in Perth in July.

By improving walking, cycling and wheeling links in communities across the country, and making it safer and easier for people to choose more active and sustainable ways of travelling for shorter journeys, the projects will also be supporting Government’s priorities to reduce carbon emissions from transport.

Confirming the projects yesterday, Sturgeon said: “On climate change, Scotland is leading globally – but we must support local action too. We are investing £500 million in new bus infrastructure, to make journeys faster, greener and more convenient.

“We want people to walk and cycle more too – reducing our carbon footprint and improving our health. So I can announce today new investment for local projects the length and breadth of our nation. From Ayr to Aberdeen, a fund of £27 million will support more than 200 schemes to make it easier for people to cycle and to walk.

“That is acting locally as we lead globally in making our contribution to tackling the climate emergency.”

Sustrans deputy CEO John Lauder said: “It is essential that politicians such as the first minister lead to action to highlight the importance of changing the way people travel when tackling climate change. So we are delighted at Nicola Sturgeon’s highlighting walking and cycling at the SNP Party conference today as a measure to tackle climate change and improve health.

“Such a reference is a clear indication of the high priority being given to active travel in Scotland. We’re all changing the way we think and act to get from A to B. Much of this step change is as a result of society becoming more aware of the effects of carbon emissions, but it’s also linked to people wanting to live a healthier lifestyle and become more active.

“Places for Everyone is focused around empowering communities to help make this step-change easier by ensuring we have the right provisions and infrastructure in place in place for all ages and all abilities. We’re extremely excited and encouraged by the projects chosen to receive funding this year and we look forward to working with our partners to deliver these goals by helping more people to walk, cycle and wheel.”