£500k for cycle and walkways
Cash to promote‘active travel’
The region is set to benefit from more than £500,000 of government funding to improve local walking and cycling routes.
The support is part of a £30 million package between the Scottish Government and Sustrans Scotland, being awarded to pop-up infrastructure projects which encourage ‘active travel’ and enables physical distancing.
It follows on from a rapid increase in the numbers seeking alternative means of travel during the Covid-19 pandemic and shifting the attention away from normally busy public transport networks.
Stirling Council have received a total share of £513,000 to spend on projects which encourage walking, cycling and wheeling.
Councillor Jim Thomson, the local SNP group’s environment spokesman, said: “I am absolutely delighted that uptake of this £30 million has been so high.
“This is a huge cash boost for Stirling Council, and I hope it will help encourage local people to get out cycling, walking or wheeling for their everyday journeys.
“This initiative is exactly the kind of progressive approach we need if we want to see more sustainable forms of travel here in Stirling.
“I’m looking forward to seeing this funding put to good use so we can create a more active community and ensure that more people are cycling or walking than ever before.”
And Stirling MP Alyn Smith: “As we emerge from lockdown, I’m struck by what I’m hearing from folk right across the constituency - they want the ‘new normal’ to do things differently. “This funding is most welcome, and will boost Stirling Council’s efforts to encourage sustainable transport in the Stirling area.
“With public transport capacity reduced for the time being, we simply can’t have more cars on the road if we’re to crack on tackling air pollution and the climate crisis. Enabling more people to get around in a greener way is a fantastic initiative.”
We want to see more sustainable forms of travel here in Stirling