Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson is making up to £15 million available over the next three years and calling for expressions of interest on a matched funding basis from Scotland's local authorities to help create a series of 'sustainable travel demonstration communities' across the country.
The communities would be a role model for others to follow, showcasing the very best methods available to encourage residents to use more environmentally-friendly forms of transport.
Similar schemes elsewhere have already led to impressive results. There are currently three 'sustainable travel demonstration towns' running in England - Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester. In Darlington, there has been a 14 per cent increase in public transport trips, 29 per cent increase in walking, 79 per cent increase in cycling and car journeys down by 11 per cent.
The results have been achieved through simple measures such as improving cycle and walking routes, better public transport links, more pedestrian-only areas, travel advisors visiting homes providing tailored travel plans, car sharing schemes and discounts on bus and train tickets.
The Scottish Government is looking for innovative ideas from local authorities. Activities could include:
-Individual Travel Marketing (sometimes known as Personalised Travel -Planning or travel blending) which provides tailored travel information based on the needs of the household
-Car sharing schemes
-Organised cycling and walking trips
-Discounted bicycles
-Infrastructure changes
-More pedestrian/cycle/walking only areas
-No car zones
-Improved conditions for walking, footpaths cleared of obstacles; better managed and maintained streets
-More cycle lanes and secure cycle parking
-More park and walk as well as park and ride facilities
-Improvement of green space
-Better use of public spaces to increase opportunities for recreational physical activity
-Greater investment in public transport - iimproved bus services, facilities and better public transport information
-Free bus and train tickets encouraging residents to give it a try
-Maps explaining how to walk or cycle to a local shop, or even something as simple as a timetable for their nearest bus stop
-School and work place travel plans
