Transform Scotland - For Sustainable Transport

29 September 2011

Government proposals would slash cycle funding

Groups condemn Scottish Government budget plans on cycle investment

Transform Scotland [1] and Friends of the Earth Scotland [2] today commented on Sustrans Scotland's statement that the "Scottish Government [is] reneging on its own promises to improve Scottish health". [3]

Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland said:

"It's so disappointing that the Scottish Government is cutting funding for cycling
while increasing funding for road building projects. This is completely contrary to the warm words that Ministers speak about promoting active and sustainable travel, tackling obesity and air pollution, and meeting carbon reduction targets.

"Evidence from countries that have promoted cycling as an alternative to car travel shows that public health is significantly improved and air pollution can be markedly reduced by increasing the number of people cycling. Making the shift from cars to bikes easier and safer also helps to cut climate emissions by removing tens of thousands of car journeys from city streets, a reduction that is much more difficult and expensive to achieve by any other means."

Colin Howden, Director of Transform Scotland, said:

"If the Scottish Government wants to support local jobs it should be increasing, not slashing, investment in cycle paths. Cycle routes are typically built by small civil engineering contractors and by local authorities, with the materials used sourced locally. 

"Contrast that with the Government's demented road-building programme. For projects such as the proposed Second Forth Road Bridge, the main contracts are instead being given to foreign construction companies.

"The Government needs to reinstate the budget for active travel. If it doesn't do
this then it will blow a hole in its climate commitments and its own Cycling Action Plan."

ENDS


CONTACTS:

Colin Howden (Director, Transform Scotland) on 07956 394121.
Per Fischer (Friends of the Earth Scotland) on 0131 243 2719 or 2715.


NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing
together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment
and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see
<http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.

[2] Friends of the Earth Scotland is Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation. It is an an independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland. It is part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups - covering every continent.

[3] See
<http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/media/news-releases/scottish government-reneging-on-its-own-promises-to-improve-scottish-health says-charity>.


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