£13.25m (€14.48m) has been made available in innovative travel and low carbon transport funding in Scotland.
The third round of the European Regional Development Fund’s (ERDF) Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund, administered by the Scottish government and delivered through UK nonprofit the Energy Saving Trust, will be distributed to eligible community, public and third sector bodies working to promote and develop active travel solutions and low-emissions transport. Depending on the location and specific parameters of applications, eligible projects will be able to receive between 70% and 80% of their total costs under the low carbon transport funding scheme, which is aimed at promoting sustainable travel across Scotland and boosting the country’s contribution to the fight against climate change.
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “Through the previous two rounds of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund just over £8.5m [€9.29m] has been awarded. This year, a further £13.25m is available, thanks to European Regional Development and Scottish Government funding, and this increased investment signals the growing scale of our commitment to the sustainable travel agenda…[t]hese projects will improve local air quality and offer healthier travel choices while supporting our Climate Change Plan. For some applications, only a 20% funding contribution would be required to be eligible for Challenge Fund support. This is therefore a fantastic opportunity for public, community and third sector organisations to bring forward their plans for sustainable transports solutions that encourage walking and cycling, promote the uptake of electric vehicles and provide further sustainable transport options across Scotland.”
Ellie Grebenik, Senior Programme Manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The third round of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Fund will support a range of projects across Scotland; and is intended to provide local communities with greater and easier access to active travel and low carbon transport hubs and paths. These projects work to support the Scottish Government’s objectives of reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and encouraging improved health outcomes through boosting the use of active travel.”
