£8 million Challenge Fund available for low carbon and active travel projects in Scotland

Transport Scotland has announced an £8m fund through which public, community and third sector organisations can apply for European Regional Development (ERDF) funding to facilitate the delivery of active travel and low carbon transport hubs. Organisations will be able to bid for up to 40/50% of the total project cost with the remainder of project costs provided through match funding.

 

A pre-application support fund was recently offered to thirty-nine projects interested in applying to the Challenge Fund to create hubs which could include a mix of bike hire, travel information, electric vehicle charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations.

 

The low carbon and active travel hubs will offer advice, support and information in order to encourage people to use active travel for their everyday journeys. Possible locations include; Park & Ride facilities, public transport interchanges or within town centres, health and leisure centre or education sites.

 

Transport Scotland appointed the Energy Saving Trust to deliver the Challenge Fund earlier this year.

 

Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and The Islands said: “I welcome this European Funding and I’m pleased to announce the ERDF Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Funding is now available. It is a fantastic boost for organisations delivering active travel and low carbon transport hubs as it will enable communities throughout Scotland to benefit from more sustainable, greener travel options.

 

“Transport Scotland is the lead partner for this European funded programme and this Challenge Fund will identify successful active travel and low carbon projects to help deliver the commitments for new hubs and associated paths to support greener transport choices.”

 

The funding was awarded to Transport Scotland under the European Regional Development Fund Programme to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport, improve air quality through encouraging an increase in walking and cycling and uptake of low emission vehicles.

 

 The deadline for applications is 28th February 2017. (See EST website link.)