Scotland’s cycling routes are to undergo a £6m refurbishment.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has confirmed the details of the funding, as announced in the Budget a fortnight ago.

Improvements to the network will include the Land’s End to John O’Groats route.

The Barnton Junction to the Forth Road Bridge route is also part of the new plans.

More cycle paths in Glasgow will also be created, ahead of the city’s 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Routes in Dundee, Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh will also be improved, as will the cycle path along the A90.

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Mr Brown said: "I've been working closely with the cycling community in recent months to find out exactly what's needed to get more people in Scotland on their bikes.

"This additional funding will allow more local authorities to move to on-road training through staff training, recruitment of volunteers and bike library schemes, particularly in more deprived areas."

Ian Aitken, Cycling Scotland chief executive, said: "I'm delighted that this new funding will help us continue our work in equipping Scottish schoolchildren with the skills and confidence to cycle.

"We are working with local authorities across Scotland to increase the amount of training which is delivered on-road, as opposed to in the playground, as training is far more beneficial when delivered in a live road environment.

"This funding will enable us to support the network of over 4,000 amazing volunteers that are currently delivering cycle training, increase the number of children receiving training on-road, and to continue to campaign for greater consideration for cyclists using the road network."

(IT/GK)