Cycling UK congratulates newly funded cycling projects and urges Scottish Government to do more

By Sam Waller
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
We today congratulate five new projects which will improve cycling conditions for communities in Scotland, whilst also calling on the Government to do much more to forge an active nation.

Cycling UK congratulates the five local projects which have today secured funding for much needed cycling and walking schemes across Scotland. We now urge the Government to make further funding available to take forward the other viable projects that were not selected under the Places for Everyone programme.

The five winning schemes will help to transform cycling and walking conditions in areas of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Arbroath and Perth. The £60m committed to these projects is less than the cost of two miles of the project to turn the A9 into a dual carriageway, which highlights the extraordinary value for money of cycling and walking infrastructure.

Cycling UK therefore calls on the Government to speedily develop and fund the projects not initially selected and show their ambition to make Scotland a truly active nation.

Cycling UK recently wrote to Transport Minister Michael Matheson urging him to fund all the viable projects at this time, as an appropriate response to the Climate Emergency declared by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in April.

Jim Densham, Cycling UK’s Campaigns and Policy Manager for Scotland, said:

“It’s fantastic that five schemes have won funding today to provide much needed space for people to safely walk and cycle around our towns and cities. We now call on the Government to urgently further develop and take forward the schemes not funded today, so that more communities can benefit.

“With a Climate Emergency declared in Scotland, and with walking and cycling recognised as a key solution to the climate challenge, all of these projects and more are needed to meet the Government’s vision of an active nation.”

Notes to editors

  1. Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org.

Press contact information

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact: Sam Waller, Communications Manager for Scotland, on 07775 595998, or the national Cycling UK Press Office on 01483 238 315, 07786 320 713 or email [email protected].

Campaigner and activist Cycling UK in Scotland

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