​£157,293 FUNDING FOR MIDLOTHIAN COUNCIL AND £1,400,000 FOR EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL’S ACTIVE TRAVEL PROJECTS

LOCAL MSP PRAISES SNP GOVERNMENT’S AMBITIOUS ‘SPACES FOR PEOPLE’ INITIATIVE
 
MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has said the announcement of £157,293 for Midlothian Council, and £1,400,000 for East Lothian Council will help normalise the increasing number of people walking or cycling in the local area.
 
In partnership with Sustrans Scotland, the SNP Government has now awarded nearly £30 million to pop-up infrastructure projects across the country to encourage temporary active travel routes that enable physical distancing during lockdown.
 
The fund aims to support a rapid increase in active travel rates in recent months and encourage more Scots to continue walking, wheeling or cycling in the future – which in turn helps to manage demand on our public transport network.
 
Commenting on the announcement, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“I am absolutely delighted that uptake of this £30 million has been so high. This is a huge cash boost for Midlothian and East Lothian Councils, and I hope it will help encourage local people get out cycling or walking for their everyday journeys.
 
“This initiative is exactly the kind of progressive approach we need if we want to see more sustainable forms of travel in Midlothian and East Lothian.
 
“I’m looking forward to seeing Midlothian and East Lothian Council put this funding to good use so we can create a more active community and ensure that more people are cycling or walking than ever before.”
 
John Lauder, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sustrans and Executive Director for Scotland said:
 
"Giving people safe space in which to physically distance while they get about their day by walking, wheeling and cycling is vitally important as we look to normalise the increasing rate of people travelling actively.
 
“The fast pace of delivery and the quick uptake by local authorities and other statutory bodies in utilising the Spaces for People funding is testament to the appetite in Scotland to make walking, wheeling and cycling as safe as possible.