A BOOST of £2 million is ready to be shared among people with plans for sustainable travel.
The cash is the second round of funding from the Scottish Government’s £80m active travel budget for 2019/20 and is aimed at encouraging more people to use public transport, car share, walk and cycle.
The Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund has now opened for applications and will be delivered through Paths for All.
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Grants available are between £5000 and £50,000 and need to be match funded by public, community and third sector organisations who wish to encourage people to walk or cycle on short journeys and use public transport for longer trips.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said he was proud the Scottish Government had already provided support to 87 projects through almost £2m worth of grants in the first year of the funding.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to implement programmes aimed at cutting carbon emissions, improving air quality and making healthier, safer, active travel a more viable option for getting around,” he said.
“Supported through Paths For All, the Open Fund provides a real opportunity to realise innovation in sustainable travel and supports smaller community organisations who are keen to contribute to the climate, active travel and health agendas.
“By maintaining the active travel budget, which was doubled to a record level last year, we can continue to support and empower local organisations to develop sustainable transport and active travel projects that they wish to see.”
Ian Findlay, chief officer at Paths For All added: “One of the best things about the Open Fund is how flexible it is, and this was reflected in the wide range of applicants and projects in the first year.
“These came from community groups, third and public sector organisations or a combination of all three working together. We were also heartened to see such creativity behind applications which all aimed to change people’s everyday travel behaviour.”
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