The Scottish government has announced a £10m boost for active travel infrastructure in Scotland.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay announced the funding in Glasgow today at a meeting with active travel stakeholders. The latest round takes the total budget for active travel in 2015-16 to almost £36m, a 12% increase on the budget at the start of the 2014-15 financial year.

Mr Mackay said: "This Scottish Government is firmly committed to supporting active and sustainable travel. This latest funding shows our determination to achieve our shared vision of 10% of everyday journeys being undertaken by bike by 2020, as set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland.

"My officials at Transport Scotland will be writing out shortly to Sustrans, Cycling Scotland and other organisations receiving funding in 2015-16 to confirm budget allocations but suffice to say that I am very excited about what we collectively can achieve in the coming year and beyond."

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The £36m figure is broken down as follows:

• £13.9m capital funding from the Support for Sustainable and Active Travel budget

• Almost £4m revenue funding from the Support for Sustainable and Active Travel budget

• £8m funding through the ring-fenced Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets line in the Local Government Settlement

• £10m from the Future Transport Fund in 2015/16

John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans, said: "This increase to the budget is very welcome and will build on the solid momentum that has been gathering pace over the past three years to create better conditions for people to walk and cycle for their short, everyday trips.

"Sustrans supports the shared vision set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, for 10% of trips to be made by bicycle by 2020, and we are also fully supportive of the aspiration of the National Walking Strategy to grow the numbers of people walking every day.

"With our partners in local authorities and other agencies we will deliver high quality infrastructure through our Community Links Programme and will continue to develop the National Cycle Network, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

"The increased focus being placed on sustainable transport by the Scottish Government is very welcome, as is the move by local authorities to introduce more 20mph zones on shopping and residential streets in Scotland."

(IT/MH)