Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 August 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage active travel in the Rutherglen constituency.
The Scottish Government provides direct funding to local authorities for active travel through the Cycling, Walking, Safer Streets (CWSS) ring fenced budget within the local authority settlement. The CWSS has allocated £1.3 million to South Lanarkshire over the last three financial years.In addition, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to a number of organisations to support sustainable and active travel initiatives. These include Cycling Scotland Paths for All and Sustrans Scotland. Since 2014-15, the following projects have been taken forward in the Rutherglen area.Cycling Scotland has distributed £18,000 to projects including: Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Communities; Cycle Friendly Campus at South Lanarkshire College; Play on Pedals training at local nurseries; and Bikeability Scotland on-road training at local primary schools.In addition, South Lanarkshire Council has been allocated £438,000 in 2015-16 and 2016-17 through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Programme, administered by Paths for All. Projects funded in South Lanarkshire include sustainable travel workshops with schools (with a focus on air quality), market research, feasibility studies for street design to increase cycling, promotion events and led rides.Finally, Sustrans has distributed the following funding for infrastructure improvements in and around Rutherglen.£110,000 in 2014-15 for the development of the Hamilton to Rutherglen Cycle Route£4,522 in 2015-16 for cycle and scooter parking at St Bride's Primary School in Rutherglen. £2,250 in 2016-17 for additional cycle and scooter parking at St Bride's Primary School in Rutherglen.