Living Streets has warmly welcomes the announcement of £10m funding for active travel infrastructure from the Scottish Government.
Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, yesterday announced a new active travel infrastructure programme, funding pop-up walking and cycling routes, and temporary improvements to existing routes.
The programme will also support local authorities to make improvements such as widening pavements and cycle lanes.
Stuart Hay, Director of Living Streets Scotland, said: “Space for physical distancing when walking and cycling is a vital part of long-term strategies to tackle COVID-19. It’s important councils are bold in terms of reclaiming road space and removing redundant parking spaces to create the space that is urgently needed in towns centres.
“Filtered neighbourhoods, banning cars from certain roads and tackling pavement parking can all help make our daily exercise easier and safer.”
“As we approach National Walking Month, we echo Mr Matheson’s calls for local authorities to “come forward with bold and ambitious plans for implementing temporary active travel measures.
“We strongly encourage members of the public to contact their local councils and call on them to take up these measures.”