Chris Ames 26 August 2020

Scottish councils get active travel funding boost

The Scottish Government has cut its match funding requirement for permanent active travel infrastructure after giving councils nearly £39m for pop-up physical distancing schemes.

Both types of infrastructure are funded by Sustrans through its £60m Places for Everyone programme.

Transport Scotland said after the closure of the fund for pop-up schemes – known as Spaces for People – attention has returned to permanent active travel infrastructure in Scotland, ‘both in terms of new schemes and, where appropriate, building on this temporary infrastructure’.

The Scottish Government is reducing the match funding rate for the programme from 50% to 30%, which means that successful applications will be 70% funded by it.

Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, said: ‘The Places for Everyone initiative is already producing some very innovative and ambitious projects – but we recognise that costs can be prohibitive for some councils and especially in the context of COVID-19.

‘Many local authorities are keen to learn lessons from the temporary infrastructure delivered through the nearly £39m we have provided. With this improved funding offer for permanent schemes, councils will be able to match their insight with their ambition and deliver high quality infrastructure to help us build an Active Nation and encourage healthier and more sustainable travel.'

Glasgow city council said it has secured an additional £4m, taking the total amount it had been awarded through the Spaces for People programme to £7.5m. It said the cash will be used to expedite the expansion of temporary travel infrastructure projects that provide extra space for people to walk, wheel and cycle as lockdown restrictions ease.

This article first appeared on Transport Network

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner