A total of 10 low-carbon and active travel projects have been awarded nearly £10m through the Scottish government’s Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund.
Local authorities and community groups in Scotland will receive grants totalling £9.46m to aid sustainable transport options, of which £7.21m has been financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
One such project is the Gateway to Gigha, which has secured over £539,000 to upgrade an 8km network of paths linking sites of interest and importance, and make pedal bikes and e-bikes for hire at the ferry terminal to encourage visitors to leave their cars at home.
Jane Millar, business development manager for the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, said: “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.”
The Falkirk Low Carbon Vehicle Hub, which uses renewable energy to charge EVs, is another project benefitting from funding. Scotland’s cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity Michael Matheson called it a prime example of what the programme can achieve.
He said: “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.”
