Cycling and walking groups' alarm at 60% funding cut: 'I don't know how long we can all survive'
Major reduction in Scottish Government’s revenue spending despite drive to increase “active travel”
Moves to encourage more people to walk, cycle and wheel are being sabotaged by a massive cut in Scottish Government funding, according to groups spearheading projects to boost such “active travel” to school and work.
Transport Scotland said active travel improved health, cut air and noise pollution and reduced traffic congestion, but the government agency has slashed revenue funding by 60 per cent because of a budget squeeze.
Revenue funding from the People and Place programme, such as for staff salaries, has been cut from £7.9 million to £3.2m.
It is distributed via regional transport partnership coordinating bodies such as Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
The programme is aimed at making walking, wheeling and cycling the “most desirable way to travel for young people and families” and a “realistic option for commuting”.
Total Scottish Government active travel spending accounts for nearly 4 per cent of the transport budget, or some £163m a year according to Spokes, the Lothian cycle campaign.
However, that remains well short of 10 per cent by 2024-25, or at least £320m, pledged under the previous SNP/Scottish Greens power-sharing deal five years ago.
One Glasgow group which involved nearly 3,500 people in cycling activities last year, including helping people with disabilities and care home residents learn how to ride a bike, was exasperated at the revenue cut.
Carol Thompson, project coordinator at Sunny Cycles, told The Scotsman: “It baffles me that revenue funding has been cut by 60 per cent when there is a clear need for it.
“We are turning people away because we are full up, and will have to make cuts in our activities.
“Our staff are already on reduced paid hours but still work more hours than they are paid for. I work full time and am only paid part time.
“It impacts us hugely, and the people we support.
“I know other organisations are struggling too, and there has been a loss of many cycling organisations over the last few years. I don't know how long we can all survive.”
Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Living Streets, which campaigns for pedestrians, said: “The cut in revenue funding walks back the progress Scotland has enjoyed in recent years.
“It’s cut the number of schools, people and places that we can support to reap the benefits of walking and wheeling.
“With fuel prices increasing and the cost of living crisis deepening, we need to do all we can to make it easier for people to get around under their own steam.
“Bold ambitions from the previous [Scottish] Government have fallen short, with reduced funding, unmet targets and disappointing delivery. “
A spokesperson for Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly Sustrans, said: “Revenue funding supports work in schools which helps young people walk, wheel, cycle, and scoot.
“It also gives communities access to resources and support which help people build their skills and confidence before they hop on a bike to travel along a new route, or decide to leave the car at home for an everyday journey.
“Our team are working closely with regional transport partnerships to see what we can do, in partnership and with reduced funding, to continue as much of this important work as possible.”
SPT referred enquiries to Transport Scotland, which said: “Regional transport partnership allocations for the 2026-27 People and Place programme were agreed by the previous administration and confirmed on April 9.
“The capital element of the programme is maintained at £15.5m, while the resource funding element is £3.2 million - a 60 per cent reduction on the 2025-26 budget of £7.9m.
“This is in response to significant pressures on the Scottish Government’s resource budget and the need for the transport portfolio to contribute to a balanced budget.”
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