East Dunbartonshire Council has been shortlisted in five categories of the Scottish Transport Awards 2016.

Out of over 100 entries, the local authority has been nominated for the awards in recognition of its various active travel projects and public realm improvement schemes.

The five shortlisted entries are:

• Most Effective Road Safety, Traffic Management and Enforcement Project - Bears Way

• Integrated Transport Project of the Year - A81 sustainable transport corridor scheme

• Excellence in Walking & Public Realm - A81 sustainable transport corridor scheme

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• Achievements in Cycling - Bears Way

• Most Innovative Transport Project of the Year - Bears Way

In addition, the council has been creating sustainable travel hubs with funding from SPT and Transport Scotland in Kessington and Hillfoot.

Work on a third at Milngavie Station is due to be completed in spring 2016.

Cllr Alan Moir said: "This is fantastic news and vindication that we are moving in the right direction to improve active travel and the public realm for local people, businesses and visitors.

"I am particularly pleased to see that the Bears Way project - a protected cycleway that anyone can use for everyday trips - has been nominated for three awards.

"Yes it has been a departure - changing a busy road and asking people to adapt to a new layout - but this kind of innovative work is essential if we are to address long-term problems with increased traffic on our roads and environmental concerns."

(LM)