‘Smarter’ fund dishes out 200 grants

A multi-million pound fund to get Scots out their cars and travelling actively and sustainably has now made 200 awards.

The Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund has distributed just over £5million in grants to create more opportunities to walk or cycle for short, every day trips and use public or shared transport for longer journeys.

Since the fund launched in 2018, projects the length and breadth of Scotland have received grants, and, since June, funds have also been available to support home working arrangements to reduce the need for daily commutes.

Managed by walking charity Paths for All and supported by the Scottish Government’s Active Travel budget, the Open Fund aims to cut Scotland’s carbon emissions, improve air quality, reverse the trend towards sedentary lifestyles and tackle health inequalities by offering grants to public, community and third sector organisations with ideas about how to change travel behaviour.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said:“It is welcome news that 200 local transport projects have been supported through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund.

“This year, the scheme is helping to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, funding projects which support home working and reduce the need to travel - helping to keep space on public transport for people who need it most.

“It’s great to see the range of innovative transport projects have been funded right across Scotland to help people choose walking, wheeling, cycling and sustainable options for everyday or multimodal journeys.

“I’m grateful to Paths for All and the many organisations working hard to improve our public health, our wellbeing and respond to the climate emergency through sustainable and active travel initiatives.”