More than 40 organisations across Scotland are to receive over £15 million of grant funding to develop walking and cycling infrastructure throughout this year.

A total of 44 businesses are set to be awarded grants from the Community Links programme, which is funded by Transport Scotland.

Overall, 225 applications have been accepted featuring initiatives to overcome significant barriers to pedestrians and cyclists, such as dangerous junctions and busy roads. As all projects are required to be match funded against the allocation from Sustrans – a further £15m will also be invested into active travel projects through the programme.

One of the projects is a segregated cycle path which will connect Speirs Warf and the Forth and Clyde Glasgow National Cycle Network Route (Route 754) and the cycle routes at the east-end of Glasgow, through the Sighthill regeneration master plan.

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Elsewhere, the Accessible Arbroath proposal by Angus Council has been awarded £50,000 to address the issue of the A92 (Burnside Drive) which currently runs through the town.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "The Scottish Government is committed to increasing active travel rates.

"Since 2010, more than £100m has been invested in the Community Links programme providing grant funding for over 700 cycling and walking projects. 

"The applications demonstrate real innovation and enthusiasm to deliver improved and innovative environments for walking and cycling to take place in Scotland."

Daisy Narayanan, Deputy Director, Built Environment at Sustrans Scotland said: "The high quality of the applications to our Community Links programme, demonstrates the continued commitment from current and new partners to creating safe and accessible walking and cycling routes across the country. 

"We have worked hard to carefully select those of the highest quality to fund and we look forward to working with all our partners to ensure the successful delivery of their projects."

(LM/MH)