A new competition to help local authorities design and construct on-road, segregated cycle lanes has been launched in Scotland.
The ‘Community Links Plus’ competition was unveiled at the Cycling Scotland conference (12 Nov) by Derek Mackay, Scotland’s transport minister, and will be managed by Sustrans Scotland and Transport Scotland.
Mr Mackay told delegates that the new Scottish Government competition is “designed to encourage more people to cycle for short journeys”.
The first stage of the process will be for local authorities to submit an expression of interest. Thereafter authorities will receive funding to help design their proposals, and a panel will judge the final applications and select those that will receive funding from 2016-17 to 2018-19.
The amount of funding to be provided by the Scottish Government in future years is subject to confirmation and local authorities and their partners will be expected to at least match the Scottish Government’s investment.
Derek Mackay said: “This is a small but important step towards delivering our shared vision of 10% of everyday journeys being made by bike by 2020
“The competition aims to deliver high profile, continental style infrastructure which will improve safety while also encouraging less confident cyclists to make day-to-day journeys by bike.
“I would encourage as many local authorities as possible to submit proposals for schemes that will benefit their residents and visitors alike.”
John Lauder, national director, Sustrans Scotland, said: “We know that the best investment any government can make is to help people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and wellbeing, so we are delighted at this new development which will help people use a bicycle for an every-day short trip.”
The shortlisted projects are expected to submit detailed proposals by end of June 2016 with an announcement of the winner(s) in autumn 2016.
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