£9.46 million awarded for low carbon and active travel in Scotland

£9.46 million has been awarded to 10 active travel and low carbon projects across Scotland through the Scottish Government Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund.

£7.21 million of the overall total has been provided through the European Regional Development Fund to help establish 10 new innovative active travel and low carbon transport hubs or projects.

Local authorities and community groups will benefit from projects which respond to the global climate emergency and allow more people to enjoy greener and more sustainable transport options.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“Our Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund is responding to the global climate emergency and helping to support Scotland’s green recovery from COVID-19. I’m pleased that a further 10 projects across the country will developed through this fund, with money from the European Regional Development Fund and the Scottish Government.

“These exciting projects will join other low carbon and active travel initiatives that have been very much welcomed by communities through the Challenge Fund. The Falkirk Low Carbon Vehicle Hub, which uses renewable energy to charge electric vehicles, is a prime example of what can be made possible through this programme.

“These projects will support our Programme for Government commitment to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032, whilst helping us to build an Active Nation and make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys.”

In this third round of the Challenge Fund, The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust has secured over £593,000 for the Gateway to Gigha project. The project will deliver construction and the upgrading of path networks spanning 8km across the isle of Gigha, interlinking sites of interest and importance. New bikes and e-bikes will be available to hire next to the ferry slip to reduce the need for private cars. The project will also include a newly created Island Ranger position which aims to encourage and promote the sustainable use and protection of Gigha’s landscape and assets, including through sustainable travel.

Jane Millar, Business Development Manager for the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust said:

“With thanks to the support from the European Regional Development Fund and the Scottish Government, Gigha will become more accessible. By improving our foot and cycle path network, and providing more information, we aim to reduce the number of car-borne visitors to Gigha and ensure that our visitors and residents know more about our environment, landscape and assets, and how best to protect them.”

Tim Anderson, Head of Transport at Energy Saving Trust said:

“The range of projects across Scotland, including the ten new projects receiving the £9.46 million in funding from the third round of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund, will benefit and provide local communities with greater and easier access to active travel and low carbon transport hubs and paths. We look forward to working with the public and third sector organisations, supporting them to achieve the promising potential of the projects.”

See the full list of funded projects on the Energy Saving Trust Website.

Notes to editors

Project summaries and details of match-funding awards provided by Energy Saving Trust. Please contact the local authority or organisation directly for further information on the following projects.

Falkirk Council – Westfield Crossing and Active Travel Link

ERDF: £2,400,000.00

Construction of a cycle & pedestrian network, 4.2km long between four quadrants of the A9 / A904 junction, alongside the spurs of these roads. The network will comprise a bridge (600m as part of the bridge and ramps) to deliver seamless active travel options across Falkirk. Shared paths suitable for easy wheelchair and cycle access.

Lochaber Environmental Group – Active Travel Fort William – Electric Bike Share Scheme

ERDF/SG funding: £470,326.50 / £67,189.50

The project proposes an e-bike share scheme that will use electric bike share equipment and technology to deliver a state-of-the-art Active Travel system for the residents of Fort William. Comprising of 80 e-bikes and 15 docking stations for securing and charging bikes at key locations, it also uses advanced IT solutions using GPS to allow bikes to be tracked, trip routing and security. A mobile app will also be developed which will allow users to unlock bikes, monitor individual bike rides and track bike locations. Of the 15 docking stations, 10 will come with charge points while the other five virtual stations will supply bike racks for securing e-bikes.

Huntly & District Development Trust – Huntly Green Travel Hub

ERDF: £161,300.69

The project proposes to establish new a town centre-based location for the Green Travel hub which will include; hot desks, e-bikes maintenance services, bike servicing and sales and a social meetup point for cyclists. An area within the shop will offer route guides, maps and general tourist information. The project also includes the creation of a low carbon fuelling satellite hub to be located at Greenmyres Wind Farm and Ecobothy. The site will install solar charging for e-bikes as well as smart lockers. It also provides a recreational space with links to local forest trails and functional routes to Huntly and Insch. 10 new electric bikes will be purchased, and community bike racks will be installed in Huntly.

East Ayrshire Council – Coalfield Communities Landscape Partnership Access Project

ERDF/SG funding: £611,664.80 / £214,087.28

This project is part funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund. The project proposes to provide 49km of upgraded path – 10.5km of which will be new. The paths will be located in the Doon Valley and the Lugar Valley of East Ayrshire. They will have new sections to connect current paths to create a new long-distance route. The new and improved active travel route links between the towns and schools of the river valleys, and connects with both existing and proposed Active Travel Hubs within each town (Ochiltree, Cumnock and Dalmellington). Interpretation boards will be installed throughout the route to explain the landscape, landmarks and items of natural heritage interest.

Glasgow Life – Transforming Pollok Country Park

ERDF/SG funding: £969,734.00 / £594,601.00

The project proposes to deliver a Low Carbon Travel and Transport hub as well as the construction and upgrade of 2.34km of path and cycle networks. This will be delivered as part of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project and an Active Travel Management Plan which runs alongside the major refurbishment of the Burrell Collection and redisplay of its collections, to deliver a new accessible and enhanced visitor experience.

Transforming Pollok Country Park includes the installation of lighting, improved wayfinding and level access on key routes and the provision of cycle shelters at Pollok House and park entry points at Pollokshaws Road and Nether Pollok. It will also see the provision of a fleet of e-bikes for park visitors and cycle hire storage/workshops, new bus stop infrastructure to support an electric shuttle service, and provision of electric vehicle charging spaces for visitors and local residents. The project aims to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists within the park whilst reducing private car access via a primary vehicular entry point near the Burrell Collection at Nether Pollok and provision of a new perimeter car park

Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust – Gateway to Gigha

ERDF/SG funding: £527,235.91 / £65,958.25

Project summary as above.

Renfrewshire Council – Renfrewshire Sustainable Travel

ERDF/SG funding: £528,000.00 / £392,000.00

The project proposes to link existing and planned active sustainable travel projects and low carbon transport hubs in Paisley and Renfrewshire The project contains three core elements all designed to make active travel a viable and higher quality experience. Firstly a Cycle Route via Causeyside Street linking Canal Street Rail Station (National Cycle Route 7), Paisley Gilmour Street Rail Station, Renfrew Town Centre, and Glasgow Investment Area. This is linked into the second element which is an EV charging hub to be located at Stow Brea Council Park which will serve Canal Street Rail Way station and National Cycle Network 7. Lastly, improvements to the Paisley Town Centre Gateway Junctions are planned. These enhancements will be in four locations including Causeyside Street / Canal Street.

Aberdeenshire Council – Portlethen Integrated Travel Town

ERDF/SG funding: £112,000.00 / £68,000.00

The project will see the creation of three new shared use paths which will be achieved by a combination of widening existing footpaths (totalling 2.14km) that are currently not suitable for shared use, as well as building new paths. The first shared use path between Cookstone and Portlethen Primary School aims to improve access to the school and encourage walking and cycling while bettering local air quality. The next path, Muirend Road to Badentoy, will support better access between the industrial estate, the town centre and the railway station. The last path is be another shared use path to link Muirend Road to Cookstone Road, aiming to create a higher quality provision for both pedestrians and cyclists and reducing the need for car made trips to the retail estate.

Moray Council – Speyside Low Carbon Hub – Path Upgrade Carron to Cragganmore

ERDF/SG funding: £560,000.00 / £75,000.00

The project proposes to extend the upgrading of the Speyside Way to the South- west as the far as Cragganmore, connecting further businesses and residents to the main settlements in Speyside. The upgrade of path will make it fit for purpose all year round for both walking and cycling, and provide a safe direct route linking communities away from the busy A95 trunk road. This would enable a wider number of small settlements and businesses to connect to the existing upgraded path. Cycle counters will be installed on the upgraded Speyside Way to provide data for monitoring, evaluation and communication / marketing.

North Ayrshire Council – Ardrossan Low Carbon Hub

ERDF/SG funding: £784,000.00 / £588,000.00

The project proposes to create a Low Carbon Travel and Transport Hub across two locations in Ardrossan. The first hub at Ardrossan Harbour will include electric vehicle (two rapid and two fast electric vehicle chargers for a total of eight bays) and electric bike charging stations, cycle parking, active travel information and signage, resting points and bike maintenance facilities. Similarly to the first, the satellite hub at the nearby North Shore site will include electric vehicle and e-bike charging stations, cycle parking for commuter journeys, public bike pumps and tools, active travel information and signage, public transport information and signage and resting points. The 1.3km path works will then connect the two sites to the town centre, constructing missing links and creating a more connected network for the town.

The Scottish Government is the Managing Authority for the European Structural Funds 2014-20 Programme. For further information visit @scotgovESIF

Transport Scotland is lead partner for the European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme www.transport.gov.scot/environment/low-carbon-travel-and-transport

The Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme is administered by Energy Saving Trust.

Energy Saving Trust is an organisation providing evidence-based advice and ground-breaking research that helps people save energy, every day.

Trusted by consumers, businesses and organisations for their expertise and independence, their goal is to find new and better ways to drive change and reduce energy and fuel consumption.

For more information: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland