Cycling

Question Time — Scottish Executive — Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:15 pm on 30 March 2006.

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Photo of Mike Pringle Mike Pringle Liberal Democrat 2:15, 30 March 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is promoting cycling as a means of travelling to work. (S2O-9500)

Photo of Tavish Scott Tavish Scott Liberal Democrat

We will continue to core fund Cycling Scotland to promote cycling as a healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transport. We will maintain cycling, walking and safer streets funding to local authorities. Earlier this month, we published guidance on regional transport strategies. The guiding principles include the provision and promotion of sustainable transport choices and the facilitation of access to jobs.

Photo of Mike Pringle Mike Pringle Liberal Democrat

I am sure that the minister is aware of the article in that illustrious newspaper the Sunday Herald in which he was condemned for a

"'scandalous' 30% cut in funding for cycle lanes and other facilities".

Will he comment on that quotation, which I very much hope is not true? Will he set the record straight?

Photo of Tavish Scott Tavish Scott Liberal Democrat

I am grateful to Mr Pringle for his helpful question. He is right—we attach considerable importance to investments in cycling. I am pleased to say that between 2005 and 2006, local authority funding has risen from £8.65 million to £9.9 million. In addition, our funding for Cycling Scotland is around £400,000 in the current financial year. Sustrans funding for the national cycle network, to which Mr Pringle has paid particular attention and on which he has written me many letters, has risen from £1.5 million in 2002-03 to £2 million in the current financial year. I was surprised by the piece that he mentions, particularly as I received a letter from the chief executive of Sustrans that entirely refuted the arguments.