Scotland's seven Regional Transport Partnerships are set to share £23.45 million in Scottish Government funding for programmes aimed at making walking, wheeling, and cycling the preferred choice for short, everyday journeys. This substantial investment is designed to enhance active and sustainable travel options across the nation.

The funding will support projects under four key themes: Active Schools, Active Workplaces, Accessibility and Inclusion, and Capacity and Capability. It will facilitate the development of active travel strategies, the installation of supporting infrastructure, and the creation of safer school routes – all contributing to reduced congestion, improved air quality, and safer local communities and roads.

For the 2025-26 financial year, the programme is expanding to include sustainable travel projects. This includes initiatives such as Demand Responsive Transport buses, improved access to shared cycle and car schemes, and the establishment of sustainable travel hubs, which will streamline transitions between various greener transport options.

The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop during a visit to the Armadale Active Travel Hub in Armadale, West Lothian. During her visit, local pupils were observed participating in a "walking bus" journey to school, highlighting one of the initiatives the funding aims to support.

"It is really important that we support people and communities to make different choices about how they get around in their local areas, and making it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle is a key part of that," said Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

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"So I am pleased to announce that over £23 million has now been allocated to support projects which will help to achieve this. It forms part of over £188 million that we are allocating for active and sustainable travel in 2025-26."

Ms Hyslop praised the Armadale "Walking Bus" initiative: "It is a pleasure to see children walking to school and projects like the Walking Bus here in Armadale is playing an important role in encouraging children to walk to school. It is providing them with the training to develop the skills and confidence they need to be able to eventually undertake the journey on their own."

She concluded by outlining the broader vision: "The Scottish Government is investing significantly to create appropriate infrastructure – but we also need to invest in projects, similar to the Walking Bus, that widen access, encourage participation and support uptake in schools and workplaces. In doing so, we will encourage a shift away from cars and towards more sustainable travel that improves health, saves people money and reduces emissions."

Commenting on behalf of Scotland’s seven Regional Transport Partnerships, Ranald Robertson, HITRANS Director, welcomed the opportunity. "We are delighted with this opportunity to further build on the initial success of the first year of the People and Place Programme and the opportunities it offers for greater collaboration with Transport Scotland, our partner local authorities, national and local delivery partners, and transport providers," he stated.

"We look forward to supporting a wide range of active and sustainable travel behaviour change initiatives, tailored to the specific needs of local schools, workplaces and communities across Scotland, to help increase the number of people walking, wheeling, cycling or taking public transport for their journeys."

Councillor Sally Pattle, Chair of the South East of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership, highlighted local impacts. "Active travel projects, such as the fantastic one we’ve seen in action today in Armadale, are an important part of our transition to a sustainable transport system that will last long into the future," she said. "It's been amazing to see how much the children enjoy being part of the Walking Bus, which has both a positive impact on their physical and mental health, and also means a reduction in the number of vehicles at the school at drop-off and pick-up times."

She confirmed that the People and Place programme will provide approximately £2.1 million in funding for active travel projects focused on schools and young people in the south-east of Scotland. "By supporting local projects such as these across our entire region, the People and Place programme means that walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities are targeted to local needs and challenges, giving the best possible opportunity for behaviour change," Councillor Pattle added.