Latest news with #ActiveTravelInfrastructureFund
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Plans to promote sustainable travel in Glasgow given funding
This cash injection will be used to improve active travel infrastructure and make public spaces safer and more accessible for pedestrians. It will also support initiatives that encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling, especially for school commutes, and provide upgrades to bus stops and employer schemes to create cycle-friendly workplaces. It will also support initiatives that encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling (Image: Supplied) The fund draws from four Scottish Government-backed schemes through Transport Scotland - the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF), the People and Place Programme (PPP), Local Authority Direct Award (LADA), and SPT's Capital Grant Fund. Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for transport, said: "These funding awards are really great news for active travel in Glasgow. Read more: Plans for one of UK's biggest green AI data centres in Ravenscraig revealed Man dies after police rush to Glasgow property amid incident "We want to create a roads network that encourages walking, wheeling and cycling across the city and it's great to see our vision being backed by the Scottish Government in this way. "Some of these funding streams focus on construction-ready projects and I am delighted that the efforts we have made to develop designs for potential new infrastructure are being recognised. "The funding will also enable us to invest further in organisations and activities that give people the knowledge, skills and confidence to use our growing infrastructure network, supporting them to walk, wheel and cycle more often. "Major infrastructure projects such as Connecting Woodside, the East City Way and Dumbreck Road Active Travel Link will all make vital connections to other routes that make it easier to move around the city by bike. "We know that as more and more safe, segregated routes begin to knit together across Glasgow, people will be more minded to choose active travel instead of having to depend on the car for local journeys." Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: 'I'm pleased that this £10.6 million award from the Scottish Government to Glasgow City Council will help realise their ambitions for better walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, alongside projects which encourage more active travel. "Through this investment we will make it easier for more people to choose sustainable transport. 'To support the continued ambitions of our local authorities – and to keep making walking, wheeling and cycling easier for shorter everyday journeys – in 2025-26 the Scottish Government will invest over £188 million in active and sustainable transport.'
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock multi-storey car park demolition makes progress
The car park is expected to be removed by the end of July. The demolition of the multi-storey car park in Kilmarnock is continuing to make progress despite a number of complex issues hitting work. The structure is expected to be removed by the end of July with work to tidy up the site being undertaken throughout August. East Ayrshire Council has set up a Foregate Business Continuity Fund to support firms affected by ongoing work, which will provide targeted help to local eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses directly impacted by the multi-storey closure and demolition works. The fund aims to support those most affected by providing short-term financial assistance to help sustain business operations. The council's Economic Growth staff are also meeting the affected local traders to set out the grant proposals, eligibility criteria and evidence needed when submitting the online grant. The council has now been informed that its application to the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund in respect of enhancements to public realm and active travel works once the car park is demolished has been unsuccessful. It is working with the contractor to finalise the works they will undertake as part of the demolition contract whilst exploring opportunities for wider town centre regeneration which will incorporate this area. Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "We're very aware of the continued impact that the demolition has had on footfall within the immediate vicinity of the Foregate and the Council has supported businesses at this time through the introduction of the Foregate Business Continuity Fund. I would encourage customers to continue to support the local businesses. "The contractor has reassured us that all possible measures have been put in place to meet the revised completion date while recognising that health and safety remains the first priority. "This work is part of a huge multi-million pound regeneration of Kilmarnock that has included investment in the bus station, the planned refurbishment and modernisation of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, refurbishment of the Galleon Leisure Centre as well as developing further enhancements to the public realm and road network."
Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Bathgate meadows plan survives £17m lottery rejection
Plans to provide a green lane through the heart of Bathgate will survive the loss of £17m National Lottery funding, councillors have been told. The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. However, having funded initial design plans the National Lottery Heritage Fund backed away from proposals in January because of 'the very significant increase in the cost and scope of the project.' New, rationalised proposals expected later this year will concentrate on the greening of the Bathgate Burn. The withdrawal caused consternation among local groups working with the Council and national agencies such as SEPA and Sustrans, looking at ways to bring the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park to life. What had started out as potentially a £10m project had ballooned to £20m as the number of active travel routes had increased, involving more work on the town's streets as well as along the banks of the Bathgate Burn. In a report to the town's local area management committee this week Graeme Burton the council's Design Engineering Manager said: 'The feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was that the level of unsecured match funding was the main risk to the project, as well as the increase in scope. 'A significant portion of the unsecured funding is because the council is only able to apply for active travel funding from Transport Scotland on a yearly basis, which is not guaranteed. Mr Burton report added 'the council will aim to rationalise the current scope during the next phase of the design.' Despite the unsuccessful National Lottery application, SEPA have expressed their ambition to continue funding the project through to the construction phase. SUStrans Places for Everyone funding will still be available until September 2025, at which point this funding stream will cease. Other funding will need to be applied for on a yearly basis to deliver the active travel elements through Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This fund takes the place of the SUStrans Places for Everyone fund. Mr Burton's report to the local area committee added: 'Officers have recently been liaising with all project partners and the Project Board to identify the next steps. It is intended that river restoration and active travel elements will continue development, however, the community engagement and traineeships elements will reduce in scope. 'One of the project partners, Forth Rivers Trust, was the partner who would have continued community engagement and traineeships; however, it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. 'Designs are currently ongoing, with detailed designs for river restoration programmed to be complete towards the end of 2026, following statutory consultation periods and due to seasonal constraints for wildlife identified within the area. 'The detailed design for some active travel routes are programmed to be complete by Autumn 2025.' Council officers had to call an emergency meeting with the local committee in January when the National Lottery made its decision. There were widespread fears that the project would collapse. At the time a council spokesperson described the decision as 'obviously disappointing' but stressed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ' It is not correct to suggest that the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park Project has been cancelled. 'This is an ambitious multi-year project involving multiple partners with the aim of regenerating the area around the Bathgate Water. The council is a member of a multi-agency project board, working alongside members of the community to deliver the Bathgate Meadows restoration. This is a complex piece of work, funded through multiple phases via a number of identified funding streams.' Councillor Pauline Stafford sought assurances that community involvement would still be part of the plan Mr Burton said that it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plan for Bathgate meadows to go ahead despite £17m knockback by National Lottery
The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. Plans to provide a green lane through the heart of Bathgate will survive the loss of £17m National Lottery funding, councillors have been told. The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. However, having funded initial design plans the National Lottery Heritage Fund backed away from proposals in January because of ' the very significant increase in the cost and scope of the project.' New, rationalised proposals expected later this year will concentrate on the greening of the Bathgate Burn. The withdrawal caused consternation among local groups working with the Council and national agencies such as SEPA and Sustrans, looking at ways to bring the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park to life. What had started out as potentially a £10m project had ballooned to £20m as the number of active travel routes had increased, involving more work on the town's streets as well as along the banks of the Bathgate Burn. In a report to the town's local area management committee this week Graeme Burton the council's Design Engineering Manager said: ' The feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was that the level of unsecured match funding was the main risk to the project, as well as the increase in scope. 'A significant portion of the unsecured funding is because the council is only able to apply for active travel funding from Transport Scotland on a yearly basis, which is not guaranteed. Mr Burton report added 'the council will aim to rationalise the current scope during the next phase of the design.' Despite the unsuccessful National Lottery application, SEPA have expressed their ambition to continue funding the project through to the construction phase. SUStrans Places for Everyone funding will still be available until September 2025, at which point this funding stream will cease. Other funding will need to be applied for on a yearly basis to deliver the active travel elements through Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This fund takes the place of the SUStrans Places for Everyone fund. Mr Burton's report to the local area committee added: 'Officers have recently been liaising with all project partners and the Project Board to identify the next steps. It is intended that river restoration and active travel elements will continue development, however, the community engagement and traineeships elements will reduce in scope. 'One of the project partners, Forth Rivers Trust, was the partner who would have continued community engagement and traineeships, however, it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. 'Designs are currently ongoing, with detailed designs for river restoration programmed to be complete towards the end of 2026, following statutory consultation periods and due to seasonal constraints for wildlife identified within the area. 'The detailed design for some active travel routes are programmed to be complete by Autumn 2025.' Council officers had to call an emergency meeting with the local committee in January when the National Lottery made its decision. There were widespread fears that the project would collapse. At the time a council spokesperson described the decision as 'obviously disappointing' but stressed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'It is not correct to suggest that the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park Project has been cancelled. 'This is an ambitious multi-year project involving multiple partners with the aim of regenerating the area around the Bathgate Water. "The council is a member of a multi-agency project board, working alongside members of the community to deliver the Bathgate Meadows restoration. "This is a complex piece of work, funded through multiple phases via a number of identified funding streams.' Councillor Pauline Stafford sought assurances that community involvement would still be part of the plan Mr Burton said that it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust.
Edinburgh Live
28-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Plan for Bathgate meadows to go ahead despite £17m knockback by National Lottery
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans to provide a green lane through the heart of Bathgate will survive the loss of £17m National Lottery funding, councillors have been told. The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. However, having funded initial design plans the National Lottery Heritage Fund backed away from proposals in January because of ' the very significant increase in the cost and scope of the project.' New, rationalised proposals expected later this year will concentrate on the greening of the Bathgate Burn. The withdrawal caused consternation among local groups working with the Council and national agencies such as SEPA and Sustrans, looking at ways to bring the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park to life. What had started out as potentially a £10m project had ballooned to £20m as the number of active travel routes had increased, involving more work on the town's streets as well as along the banks of the Bathgate Burn. In a report to the town's local area management committee this week Graeme Burton the council's Design Engineering Manager said: ' The feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was that the level of unsecured match funding was the main risk to the project, as well as the increase in scope. 'A significant portion of the unsecured funding is because the council is only able to apply for active travel funding from Transport Scotland on a yearly basis, which is not guaranteed. Mr Burton report added 'the council will aim to rationalise the current scope during the next phase of the design.' Despite the unsuccessful National Lottery application, SEPA have expressed their ambition to continue funding the project through to the construction phase. SUStrans Places for Everyone funding will still be available until September 2025, at which point this funding stream will cease. Other funding will need to be applied for on a yearly basis to deliver the active travel elements through Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This fund takes the place of the SUStrans Places for Everyone fund. Mr Burton's report to the local area committee added: 'Officers have recently been liaising with all project partners and the Project Board to identify the next steps. It is intended that river restoration and active travel elements will continue development, however, the community engagement and traineeships elements will reduce in scope. 'One of the project partners, Forth Rivers Trust, was the partner who would have continued community engagement and traineeships, however, it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. 'Designs are currently ongoing, with detailed designs for river restoration programmed to be complete towards the end of 2026, following statutory consultation periods and due to seasonal constraints for wildlife identified within the area. 'The detailed design for some active travel routes are programmed to be complete by Autumn 2025." Council officers had to call an emergency meeting with the local committee in January when the National Lottery made its decision. There were widespread fears that the project would collapse. At the time a council spokesperson described the decision as "obviously disappointing" but stressed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ' It is not correct to suggest that the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park Project has been cancelled. 'This is an ambitious multi-year project involving multiple partners with the aim of regenerating the area around the Bathgate Water. The council is a member of a multi-agency project board, working alongside members of the community to deliver the Bathgate Meadows restoration. This is a complex piece of work, funded through multiple phases via a number of identified funding streams.' Councillor Pauline Stafford sought assurances that community involvement would still be part of the plan Mr Burton said that it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust.
