Scotland news
This page contains news from Sustrans Scotland. For the latest news on the National Cycle Network in Scotland, see the Scottish route developments page. For information on temporary closures, see Route closures and diversions.
Sustrans Scotland at the Scottish Bike Show
Sustrans will be attending the forthcoming Scottish Bike Show for the events' second year. The event will take place at the Scottish Events and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow over 3 days (13th, 14th and 15th April). The events organisers have the following to say about the show: 'Once again for 2012, there will be something for everyone, from the hardcore enthusiast to the commuter cyclist with more bikes, brands, clothing, displays, competitions, presentations, test tracks and loads more packed into Scotland’s one and only bike consumer show. Come and enjoy the Scottish Bike Show 2012 with your friends and family'.
Sustrans will be showcasing a range of free National Cycle Network (NCN) cycling leaflets and maps. Sustrans will be selling a wide range of more detailed NCN maps and books covering Scotland. There will also be a number of maps and books detailing the NCN in other parts of the UK. We will also be promoting the new Sustrans iPhone and Android app (The Complete National Cycle Network). A competition will be run, details TBC.
Click on the logo below to find out more about the Scottish Bike Show 2012.
Increased bike space on Edinburgh-Inverness trains
The 10.45 Inverness to Edinburgh and the 13.35 Edinburgh to Inverness trains now have 8 reservable cycle spaces (4 on each unit) from Monday to Saturday throughout the year. On summer Saturdays there will be 12 reservable cycle spaces on these trains (which are formed from Class 158 units, for those interested in that sort of thing!). The summer dates are to be confirmed by ScotRail, but will be roughly from mid/late May to late September.
Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme
Network Rail have asked us to help raise awareness of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), a major programme of Scottish Government funded improvements in the railway to be delivered by Network Rail. It is an investment that will contribute significantly to Scotland's economy, communities and the environment. Please visit www.egip-consultation.co.uk for more information on the project and give Network Rail the opportunity to hear what you think because it is your railway and we want you to have your say.
Welcome boost to active travel budget
A report from the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee gave Sustrans Scotland a welcome boost in our campaign to re-instate the budget for active travel. The report contains the findings of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee, which covers active travel on pages 150-160. The committee backed nearly all the recommendations that Sustrans Scotland and our partners made and gives us an added impetus to pursue the re-instatement of the budget for active travel. John Lauder, National Director for Sustrans Scotland, said "I was particularly impressed with the following comments":
- The Committee is concerned about the ability of the Draft Budget to deliver on the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS)
- The Committee notes that spending on cycling is highly preventative and contributes to health outcomes as well as congestion and climate change, and that investment in cycling and walking schemes often offers excellent value for money
- The Committee is, therefore, concerned by the evidence presented by expert witnesses and by the Cabinet Secretary's own confirmation that funding for active travel has been reduced in the draft budget
- The Committee also recommends that the Scottish Government should give consideration to setting the active travel budget as a proportion of total transport spending"
John continued "I am urging all our supporters and anyone concerned with a less carbon emitting and healthier Scotland to write now to Mr Alex Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, to ask him to re-instate the budget for active travel. The budget is not finalised until January, so there's still time for us to win our case".
Read the full report (pdf).
Jobs created by active travel
Sustrans' research and monitoring team in Newcastle has completed a short study into the impact on jobs from the grant that Sustrans Scotland manage for Transport Scotland. The results show that jobs are created cost efficiently by investment in active travel. The evidence adds to our case for Transport Scotland retaining, rather than cutting our budget. Read the study.
Sustrans Scotland to give evidence to Scottish Parliament
Sustrans Scotland has been asked to provide evidence to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 2 November, in response to its call for assistance in reviewing the Scottish Government draft budget 2012-13 and spending review 2011. Download the evidence (pdf).
Scottish Government Spending Review - message from Sustrans Scotland National Director
The announcement by the Scottish Government of its Spending Review and draft budget for 2012-15 will badly affect the way we travel in Scotland unless the Government changes its mind. Sustrans' work on new sections of the National Cycle Network, such as Oban-Ballachulish and Round the Forth, and on short links which allow people to get to where they want to go actively, will stop.
It’s worth noting that the Network has seen a 44% increase in its use in the last three years and there are now 40 million trips a year on it in Scotland. The Network contributes over £100M a year in health benefits and a similar sum is spent by recreational and touring cyclists. In addition, with our partners we contribute £12.5M a year to small civil engineering projects the length of Scotland, employing local construction firms. A benefit to Scotland of £212M from an annual budget for the Network of £5.5M.
Because the budget is open to negotiation between now and December, I'm encouraging you to write/email Mr Keith Brown, Minister for Housing and Transport to ask:
a) that the £5.5M capital budget for the National Cycle Network be re-instated at its current level, and
b) that the Government’s commitment to delivering the Cycling Action Pan for Scotland – the target for which is 10% of trips by bike by 2020 - is maintained.
Also, if the National Cycle Network has made a difference to your life, please tell Mr Brown what it means to you.
Thanks for your support.
Yours truly,
John Lauder
Please write to:
Mr Keith Brown
Minister for Housing & Transport
Scottish Government
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
or email: Keith.Brown.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Scottish Access Technical Information Network (SATIN)
Key stakeholders in Scotland have set up a technical advisory group for those designing and implementing infrastructure for outdoor access and active travel networks.
The group is called SATIN, the Scottish Access Technical Information Network, and will act as a single mechanism to exchange good practice and to store, disseminate and share information amongst those delivering outdoor access and active travel infrastructure in Scotland.
The first action of the SATIN working group was to create a web-based resource to allow the mechanism for this dissemination of information, and this be supported by other measures such as meetings, seminars and events. The website was launched in October 2011 so please click the link to explore all the information: www.satinonline.org
Further information will be added in the coming months but SATIN requires the users to aid others by adding information about the technical aspects of their projects to allow others within the community to learn and implement.
The development of the group in 2009 comes as a result of key actions from the consultative draft of the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, which called for organisations to promote the effectiveness of cycle infrastructure at junctions, promote off-road cycle routes to link specific destinations and community resources, promote relevant guidance documents on path planning and provide continuing professional development for anyone dealing with cycle provision.
SATIN is part of Cycling Scotland’s Information and Guidance Programme and is delivered in partnership with Paths for All, Sustrans, SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland, Falkirk Council (SCAN) and a wide range of regional and local stakeholder groups.
2008-11 Spending Review - how Sustrans Scotland performed
On Thursday 29 September 2011 we published the results of our work for the 2008-11 Spending Review. The results show a great performance by Sustrans Scotland; with a 44 per cent increase in the use of the National Cycle Network, £100 million in benefit to health and £100 million generated for tourism revenue. Download the full report (pdf).
Route 78 - Oban to Fort William
Work continues on our wonderful new, almost entirely traffic-free, route from Oban to Ballachulish. There is now a continuous 13-mile section from the Sea Life Sanctuary to The Highland Council boundary near Dalnatrat. Due to high level of interest in the route and demand for information, we have produced a new map which gives an overview of the existing route and planned developments. This map is available from local tourist information centres and other outlets in the area, or can be downloaded here.
Distinctive access controls are being installed along the route. The design reflects the Bhirlinns (Highland galleys) that used to be the main means of transport along the west coast of Scotland.
The whole of Route 78 from Campbeltown to Inverness will be known as the Caledonia Way. For more information on what sections of path are complete, see Oban to Fort William - what's happening? For information on this and other route developments, see the Route developments page.
Route 75 - Airdrie to Bathgate Cycle Path
Services on the new railway line between Aidrie and Bathgate began running on 12 December 2010. A high quality replacement cycle route built by Network Rail has been completed between Bathgate and Plains. Unfortunately, the section between Plains and Drumgelloch, near Airdrie, has been delayed and will not be complete until 'later in the year'. The plan is to create a wide shared-use pavement along the north side of the A89. Due in part to technical difficulties (caused by several feet of peat!), this is not the route originally planned, but it will create an good direct link between the two communities, as well as being part of the long-distance route.
Until this section is completed, cyclists and walkers can either use the A89 or the existing pavement to reach the beginning of the traffic-free path at Ford Bridge at the east end of Plains, or can work out their own route using minor roads between Plains and Airdrie. See OS Explorer maps 342 and 349 or use Sustrans' online mapping, accessible on the home page under Search Our Mapping.
Route 75 closed at Armadale
Route 75 was closed just east of Armadale station on the last weekend of November. No diversion route is in place. See Route Closures and Diversions for more information.
National Route 7 - A9 Dualing works completed
The section of Route 7 which was closed for the duration of the dualing works on the A9 south of Newtonmore, re-opened on Friday 30 September 2011. New sections of tarmac path have been built to replace sections affected by the roadworks and other sections are being improved.
And more good news ... 2km of the path over the Drumochter Pass have been resurfaced by Transport Scotland's contractors. This still leaves several kilometres of path that could do with an upgrade, but it's a start. Here's picture of the new path taken by one of our volunteers.
Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry success
Are you planning to cycle Route 78 and wondering how to get to or back from Cambeltown at the southern end of the Kintyre Peninsula? One option is the ferry between Northern Ireland and the Kintyre Peninsula which re-opened in May 2011, re-establishing the link across the 34 nautical miles between Route 78 at Campbeltown and Route 93 at Ballycastle. The ferry carries a maximum of 6 bikes and bikes travel free. Reports are that the first summer's operations were successful, with 20% of passengers being cyclists! For more information, see www.kintyreexpress.com
Looking for organised cycle rides in and around Edinburgh?
Go to www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk or an up-to-date listing of all organised cycle rides in or near the Scottish capital. A variety of rides cater for all types of cyclists and levels of experience and fitness. These rides are run by local cycling clubs and groups, and are mostly free of charge and open to all. The site also contains other cycling information and useful links.
New legal service for cyclists
Cycle Law Scotland is Scotland's first legal service dedicated to representing the interests of cyclists injured in accidents on Scotland's roads through no fault of their own. For more information go to www.cycling-accident-compensation.co.uk