To better enable physical distancing, the Scottish Government
will fully fund a new infrastructure programme for pop-up walking
and cycling routes or temporary improvements to existing routes.
This will be supported by a package of guidance and support to
local authorities from Transport Scotland and Sustrans Scotland
for improvements such as widened pavements and cycle lanes.
Across the world, cities have seen increased rates of cycling as
the number of car journeys have declined due to COVID
restrictions – and many cities have responded to this by
reallocating road space to better enable this shift and make it
safer for people who choose to walk, cycle or wheel for essential
trips or for exercise. Scotland’s towns and cities will now be
able to do the same.
Every year, Transport Scotland and Sustrans Scotland run the
‘Places for Everyone’ active travel infrastructure initiative –
and we know the impact of COVID–19 means that local authorities
will not have the capacity to design and apply for complex
multi-year infrastructure programmes due to the necessary focus
on responding to the outbreak. As such, up to £10 million is
being reallocated from the ‘Places for Everyone’ budget to
deliver the new ‘Spaces for People’ initiative with no match
funding from local authorities required, while continuing to
support previously committed projects.
Following a statement to the Scottish Parliament confirming the
measures, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and
Connectivity said:
“I’m pleased we are able to put forward a package of support for
our local authorities to implement temporary active travel
measures, helping to ensure that people can walk, cycle and wheel
during this public health emergency whilst physically distancing
and keeping safe from traffic.
“I have written to every local authority in Scotland to advise
them that the ‘Spaces for People’ initiative is designed with
agility and pace in mind. Our communities need this support
quickly, especially with the welcome increases in cycling we are
seeing across the country. At the same time, almost every journey
starts and ends on our pavements in some way, and so it is
vitally important that people can physically distance for those
essential trips or for exercise.
“Infrastructure is only part of the response and I’m struck by
the many organisations, including our Active Travel Delivery
Partners, who are providing support to keep key workers moving
and help with deliveries for those who require it. I want to give
my thanks to them – please know your efforts are incredibly
valued.
“For our air quality, climate, health and particularly for our
mental wellbeing at this time, walking and cycling remain our
most beneficial form of transport. We should all be encouraged by
the increases we are seeing in cycling and this government will
do what it can to continue to support this through our recovery
and beyond.”
Lee Craigie, Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland said:
“Access to safe, pleasant places to exercise is good for
everyone’s physical and mental health but it has taken this
crisis for towns and cities across the world to realise the
urgency with which space for walking, running, cycling and
wheeling is needed, and especially in our urban areas”
“It has never been more important that we look after our own
health and the health of members of our society who have limited
access to such spaces.
“I welcome wholeheartedly the Scottish Government’s new guidance
and funding measures so that local authorities might more easily
reallocate space in favour of people being active. When life
resumes its usual pace, let’s not forget how good it feels to
enjoy having more space to move freely.”
John Lauder, Deputy CEO at Sustrans Scotland said:
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s package of support and we
are ready to respond to local authorities’ needs. With our
local authority partners we have helped turn around this idea in
less than two weeks and it’s great to work with a government that
listens and engages so actively.
“It’s clear that people across Scotland want to do the right
thing during this COVID-19 crisis. They want to look after
their physical and mental health. They also want to make
sure that they are keeping to physical distancing guidelines
while still being safe on our streets. The ‘Spaces for
People’ programme will allow that.”
For information on available support for key workers please
visit: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/cycles-for-key-workers/
For cycling advice please visit: https://www.cycling.scot/covid19-information/cycling-advice
For more information on how the Scottish Government is building
an Active Nation please visit: https://www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/developing-an-active-nation/
