Last Thursday’s Scottish Transport Awards saw Sustrans projects scoop four awards, as organisations from across the sector gathered in Glasgow to celebrate the past year.
Sustrans’ Dr Lee Muir and Neill Malone pick up the award for Excellence in Transport Accessibility.
Our National Cycle Network Accessibility Programme wins big
Sustrans’ National Cycle Network Accessibility Programme won the top award for Excellence in Transport Accessibility.
Launched in April 2023 following an accessibility audit of traffic-free National Cycle Network routes in Scotland, the programme provides funding and support to remove barriers and other restrictions on the NCN, such as bollards, chicanes or steps.
Removal of barriers allows for more people to be able to use the National Cycle Network, particularly those using non-standard cycles.
The Accessibility Programme is part of our wider work across the UK towards improving the National Cycle Network for everyone.
Sam explains why removing barriers on the NCN can make a big impact for adapted cycle users.
Recognition for our innovative Network Planning Tool
Sustrans' Network Planning Tool picked up a Highly Commended award in the Best Practice In Transport Planning category.
The groundbreaking tool has been developed by mobility planning colleagues in our Infrastructure Development Support programme, in partnership with the University of Leeds.
A strategic cycle network planning tool, it is helping local authorities make evidence-based decisions on where to build new cycle routes - so that routes benefit the most people and join up in a coherent way.
The tool, available currently in beta version, predicts relative levels of cycling on streets and paths across Scotland, based on analysis of everyday journeys that could be made by cycling, and displays them on a map.
Trailblazing projects funded by Sustrans pick up awards
The ceremony also saw several of our partners recognised for their work towards improving active travel and sustainable transport across Scotland.
Partners Angus Council and the City of Edinburgh Council received awards for projects that were funded and supported through Sustrans programmes.
Sustrans’ Sam Valentine celebrates Roseburn to Union Canal win with partners from the City of Edinburgh Council.
Angus Council won the award for Excellence in Walking, Public Realm and Cycling.
The winning project transformed a dangerous 1.2km section of National Cycle Network Route 1 in Carnoustie. In a UK first, a new pedestrian and cyclist priority scheme uses intelligent traffic signals and detection technology to react to cyclists and pedestrians, giving them priority over cars.
This project was part of a number of improvements to the National Cycle Network Route 1 in Angus, made possible through Sustrans’ Network Development programme.
Another one of our key partners, the City of Edinburgh Council, won the Excellence in Transport Design award for their Roseburn to Union Canal project.
Funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme, this £17 million project has created a new green corridor for walking, wheeling and cycling, significantly enhancing public safety and access to greenspace.
The Roseburn Path and Union Canal are now firmly connected via a high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling route, complete with newly installed bridges and extensive landscaping work.
Partners and local residents came together to celebrate the official opening in December 2024.
Delivering positive change through expertise and partnership
These award-winning projects were made possible by funding from the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland.
Sustrans works with these funders and our decision makers on a national and local level to make active travel safer and easier for more people across Scotland.
We work in partnership with organisations and local authorities, like Angus Council and the City of Edinburgh Council, to deliver this change.
Fiona MacLeod, Sustrans Director for Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland, said:
“We are thrilled to celebrate our success alongside transport authorities across Scotland.
“This recognition is a testament to the top-tier expertise and deep dedication our colleagues bring to the programmes we deliver.
“They are what makes Sustrans - pushing us further in our mission to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for everyone.”