£1m boost to encourage more cycling in East Dunbartonshire

The East Dunbartonshire authority has received the money from transport charity Sustrans, as part of their Community Links Programme.

A total of £500,000 will be used to create a Quality Cycle Corridor along Milngavie Road, as part of the A81 Sustainable Travel Corridor Project.

Designs are currently being developed for two-way, segregated cycle facilities along the road to encourage more people to get back on their bikes. The project will be rolled out in phases, with funding being granted over a two year period.

Another £1/2 million will be used to help deliver a project on the Cowgate, as part of the Kirkintilloch Masterplan.

The Cowgate will be linked with the National Cycle Network and priority will be given to pedestrians and cyclists, over other road users.

The remainder of the funding will be used to develop the East Dunbartonshire Active Travel Action Plan and revive the Healthy Habits programme.

Councillor Alan Moir, convener of the development and regeneration committee, said: “I am delighted that our officers have been successful in securing these much needed funds from Sustrans.

“We all know that we need to get more exercise and cut down on carbon emissions and this funding will help us on the road achieving both goals. This is great news for East Dunbartonshire and its cyclists in particular.”

Tom Bishop, Sustrans’ Community Links Coordinator, said: “We received a record number of applications to our Community Links Programme and have worked hard to carefully select those of the highest quality to fund.

“We are committed to ensuring that people across Scotland are better connected by safe and accessible walking and cycling facilities. “

The implementation of the ‘Community Links Programme’ is essential in order to achieve the vision set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland: that by 2020, 10% of everyday journeys in Scotland will be made by bike.