Thursday, 28 March 2024
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Cycling UK commends local project funding but urges Scottish Gov more is needed

Cycling UK has congratulated the funding of five local cycling projects in Scotland, but is now calling for more funding to be made available for other schemes.

The charity is urging the Scottish Government to make further funding available for other viable projects that were not selected under the Places for Everyone programme.

The five winning schemes are aiming to improve cycling and walking conditions in local areas of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Arbroath and Perth. According to Cycling UK, the £60 million committed to these projects is less than the cost of turning two miles of the A9 into a dual carriageway.

Jim Densham, Cycling UK Campaigns and Policy Manager, 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.”

Meanwhile, in a meeting in Westminster last month, the charity expressed alarm that the Government has not used the opportunity to explain how it would address the fact its on track to fail in its target to double cycling by 2025.