Category: News & Opinion

Categories
News News & Opinion Places for Everyone

Feb 2023 – Developed and Technical Design (Stages 3-4) awards

Person cycling on the Raigmore active travel link.
Raigmore AT Link opening.

The most recent funding awards for Places for Everyone projects at Developed and Technical Design (Stages 3-4) have now been announced.

Applications for projects at Developed and Technical Design (Stages 3-4) were presented to The Decision Making Panel in December 2022, with awards for successful projects being made in February 2023.

See list of awards.

The next set of funding awards will be announced for project applications at Construction (Stages 5-7) in spring 2023.

The most recent funding awards for Places for Everyone projects at Developed and Technical Design (Stages 3-4) have now been announced. Credit: John Linton, 2019.

What has been awarded?

Details about successful projects progressing to the Developed and Technical Design stages can be found below.

Ashgrove Connects: £1,815,000

Proposals include reducing the speed of traffic, creating more crossings, simplifying junctions, providing separate areas for active travel, and co-designing community spaces which will increase road user safety.

Bathgate Water Improvement Project: £130,000

By taking a holistic approach to improving the watercourse that runs through the Wester Inch area of Bathgate, this project will provide a path network that will encourage active travel and create an environment that supports wildlife.

The Causey Project Phase 2: £192,362

Phase 2of thiscommunity led project will transform the quality of the area around West Crosscauseway to re-establish it as an important route for everyday active travel and improve the sense of place for local people. 

Cessnock-Ibrox Village Strip – Liveable Neighbourhoods: £528,826

This project will see the addition of controlled pedestrian crossings, wider and continuous footways, enhanced lighting, placemaking and new greenspaces. A new protected cycleway along Paisley Road West will also be created.  

City-wide Public Bike Parking: £14,480

This project will see public bike parking infrastructure installed and increased across the City of Edinburgh to encourage more people to cycle for their everyday journeys.

Civic Street, establishing an active travel intersection for the canal: £35,000

This project will improve the walking, wheeling, and cycling routes that converge at Civic Street, connecting the city centre with communities in north Glasgow.  

Dalbeattie Active Travel Links Phase 2: £73,012

The project seeks to provide new cycling infrastructure, including a new footbridge, in Dalbeattie. This will improve connectivity to Dalbeattie Learning Campus, Dalbeattie Town Centre and Craignair Health Centre, as well as promoting active travel in the area.

The Dummy Railway: £233,978

The focus of this project is to create safer, more accessible routes for local people by upgrading the footpaths and landscaping in the area. This will increase play provision, encourage biodiversity and promote walking, wheeling, and cycling.

Flourishing Molendinar: £136,504

The Flourishing Molendinar active travel routes will extend high quality walking, wheeling, and cycling connections into the northeast of Glasgow and along the A80.

Follow On From Connecting West End community to Riverside & the Waterfront: £442,655

Replacing an existing footbridge over the East Coast railway which is at the end of its serviceable lifespan is the focus of this project. The current bridge is not suitable for users with mobility issues and anyone wheeling or cycling due to its stepped access.

Greater Govan City Network: £2,295,000

Designs for the Greater Govan area in Glasgow include the introduction of a high-quality cycling network, as well as enhanced pedestrian infrastructure and public realm improvements.

3 figures walking along the Loch Indaal Way.
Developed and Technical Design builds on early proposals from Concept (Stages 1-2) to help establish project designs which are shaped by local communities and key stakeholders that are construction ready. Credit: Sustrans, 2021.

Introduction of green infrastructure and an active travel route linking Eastern Springburn: £89,500

The aim of this project is to create a new active travel route linking communities to the east and west of the Red Road Transitional Regeneration Area (TRA). The new route will provide improvements to active walking, wheeling and cycling movement, whilst creating a new link between neighbourhoods and community facilities.

Leith Connections Phase 3: £653,000

Phase 3 will deliver pedestrian improvements, a segregated cycle track with protected junctions and improved placemaking along Leith’s west-east corridor.

Musselburgh Active Toun Routes 1 and 5 local Stage 3 & 4 Design: £371,000

Musselburgh Active Toun (MAT) is reimagining Musselburgh with sustainability, resilience and local communities at its heart. The project comprises six strategic active travel routes and a series of local connectors. This phase seeks to take forward two strategic routes and key local paths.

Musselburgh Active Toun Route 3 Stage 3 & 4 Design: £381,000

This phase is looking to take progress Route 3 – a strategic coastal route.

Possilpark Liveable Neighbourhood, Saracen Street: £429,638

This element of the Possilpark Liveable Neighbourhood will focus on the transformation of Saracen Street. It will improve the public realm and create new green infrastructure including protected cycle lanes as part of the city network.

Powderhall phase 2 Former Waste Transfer Station – Powderhall Junction: £46,540

This project seeks to enhance Powderhall Junction for people walking, wheeling, and cycling. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for people to move around the local area without the need for motorised transport.

Queensferry – walking, wheeling and cycling improvements: £428,000

Designs for significant improvements to active travel infrastructure in the south of Queensferry will connect communities with the town centre.

Stoneyburn Links – Bents to A706: £123,289

Stoneyburn Links will offer those dependent on car use a sustainable alternative for commuting in and out of the village by removing barriers and improving accessibility.

Union Street Transformation: £301,878

A community led co-design process aims to create a safer, more attractive, healthier and inclusive, climate resilient place enjoyed equitably by the people who live on, work in and visit the street.

Walk, Wheel, Cycle Burdiehouse: £348,000

Walk, Wheel, Cycle Burdiehousewill provide active travel infrastructure on key roads linking to housing developments in the area. Measures will include widened footpaths, segregated cycle tracks and newly signalised crossings.

Protected junctions introduced as part of the South City Way Places for Everyone project in Glasgow.
Places for Everyone provides 100% of the funding for all designs and other pre-construction activity. Credit: John Linton, 2021.

What does this mean?

Backed by the Scottish Government, Places for Everyone aims to create safer, more attractive, healthier, and inclusive places by increasing and diversifying the number of trips made by walking, wheeling, and cycling for everyday journeys.

Developed and Technical Design builds on early proposals from Concept (Stages 1-2) to help establish project designs which are shaped by local communities and key stakeholders that are construction ready.

Places for Everyone provides 100% of the funding for all designs and other pre-construction activity.

Construction (Stages 5-7) completes the Places for Everyone process by physically delivering the infrastructure on the ground.

Places for Everyone provides 70% of the funding for construction.

More information on Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work stages can be found here.

Decision Making Panels comprise of both senior members of the Sustrans infrastructure delivery teams as well as key external representatives.

More information on Decision Making Panels can be accessed here.

Categories
Case Studies Homepage Featured News News & Opinion Places for Everyone Project/Department Filtering

Community Engagement Key to Flourishing Molendinar Success 

Celebrations were held on Langdale Street in the North East of Glasgow last month, as early designs to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling in the local area were completed. 

On the 22nd and 23rd September residents came together to learn about the ambitions of the Flourishing Molendinar project. 

Play days were held on the section of the street that St. Paul’s Youth Forum – the group leading the project – wants to close to through traffic in order to promote active, sustainable travel and create a community space.

It was a fantastic event with many families coming down to enjoy the space. Local children had their bikes fixed, held races on the closed road and were able to learn more about the vision of the project. 

Inspiration behind the project

For many years, Langdale Street and the surrounding areas have experienced high levels of traffic and poor air quality. 

As Jean McClean from Blackhill Community Council, explained: “This wee community is stuck right in the middle of two motorways, and this is a thorough-through for kids from Blackhill to get up to St Philomena’s. It’s quite dangerous with cars and big trucks flying up and down this area.”

Community engagement found that barriers to active travel in this part of Glasgow were the speed and volume of traffic, lack of safe routes and the condition of the paths.  

Celebrations held on Langdale Street, Glasgow as designs to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling in the area were completed. Credit: Sustrans, 2022.

What is Flourishing Molendinar? 

Flourishing Molendinar aims to create a network of segregated active travel routes and quiet streets which are accessible and safe, making it easier and more enjoyable for local people to walk, wheel, and cycle. 

“One of the things in the community that was often fed back to us was about transport poverty.  

We’re only three miles away from the city centre, but there’s a massive disconnect in terms of public transport – in getting to and from the city centre.  

“It’s [the project] about ensuring people in the North East of Glasgow can enjoy the same opportunities as their peers across the city”

Ben Raw, St Paul’s Community Group

As part of the proposed work, Langdale Street will be transformed into a quiet route where walking, wheeling, and cycling are prioritised, whilst still maintaining access for residents, blue badge holders and emergency service vehicles.

Pupils of St. Philomena’s Primary School will be one of the main beneficiaries of the project which will create safer routes for travelling to and from school. 

Flourishing Molendinar will eventually lead to the development of Langdale Place – a proposed community space featuring enhanced greenspace, benches and places for people to meet and socialise. 

Local children will be one of the main beneficiaries of the project which will create safer routes for travelling to and from school. Credit: Sustrans, 2022.

Driven by and for the local community

Flourishing Molendinar has, up to this point, been led by St. Paul’s Youth Forum and their On Bikes project. Funding was provided by Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, with support from Glasgow City Council and designers Urban Movement.

To make sure that the developments fit the needs and wants of local people, members of the community have fed in throughout the design process.  

Since the project started a number of exciting consultation and engagement methods were used to ensure that different voices were heard.  

Activities included tasking school children with creating designs for Langdale Place during Minecraft workshops. Most recently, this approach to engaging young people in street design won the award for ‘Most Innovative Transport Project of the Year’ at the Scottish Transport Awards.

Innovative consultation and engagement methods were used to ensure different voices from the community fed into the design process. Credit: Sustrans, 2022.

A session with local artists was also held during St Paul’s weekly community evening meal. Attendees were shown a museum box containing old toys, games and photographs which was used to inspire conversations on how streets were used in the past. 

Other methods of communication included social media campaigns, logo drawing and badge making sessions, meetings with a local steering group, street stalls and led cycle rides that included additional learning regarding climate change, air pollution, urban design and the Flourishing Molendinar project. 

This cross-community engagement has been very successful and culminated with the Langdale Street closure, where people came together to celebrate the project.  

“It’s great for me to see my community happy. My community is going to benefit out of this closure and this project”

Jean McClean, Blackhill Community Council

What’s next?

Flourishing Molendinar is now moving to the next stage of the development and is being handed over to Glasgow City Council who are going to drive it forwards.

“Flourishing Molendinar shows what can be achieved when communities are engaged with redevelopment projects.

The combination of new public spaces, improved pedestrian crossings, new segregated cycle lanes and redesigned quiet streets is going to transform this area of Glasgow.

It is going to connect people together, and ensure that everyone in the local community, regardless of age or ability, can safely walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys”.

Michael Melton, Grant Manager at Sustrans
Categories
Case Studies Homepage Featured News News & Opinion Places for Everyone Project/Department Filtering

Trial of Protected Junctions finds cycling numbers double along South City Way

The Glasgow South City Way project is delivering a high-quality active travel corridor from the heart of the South Side through to Glasgow City Centre.

The project is part of Glasgow’s ambition to become a cycle friendly city – linking routes and destinations by “quiet ways” that enable anyone regardless of ability to travel by bike.

As the project developed, two protected junctions (road junctions that separate people travelling on foot, by cycle, and in vehicles) were trialled at a couple of locations along Victoria Road.

They were the first protected junctions ever trialled in Scotland!

What were the outcomes of the trials?

Protected junctions introduced on Victoria Road as part of the South City Way Places for Everyone project in Glasgow. Credit: John Linton, 2021.

During the trial period Sustrans’ Research and Monitoring Unit (RMU) found a significant increase in cycle traffic.

Between March 2019 and September 2021, the total cycle traffic through the junctions had almost doubled.

Pedestrian traffic changed much less in the same period, increasing slightly at one junction and decreasing at the other.

Video footage from the same period showed that 94% of cyclists followed the segregated cycleway through the protected junctions as intended.

Similar footage revealed that pedestrian behaviour had also changed between the pre and post-intervention monitoring.

At the protected junctions, fewer people were crossing on the diagonal, opting instead to cross each arm of the junction separately. Crossing when the red figure shows had increased suggesting that people felt safe enough to cross when traffic was still flowing through the junction.

How have perceptions of safety changed?

As part of the RMU study, 218 interviews were carried out with people who walk and cycle to find out how the introduction of the junctions had changed safety perceptions.

The responses were conclusive, with all the cyclists and over two thirds of the people walking feeling either safe or very safe when using them.

There were, however, also learnings to be taken.

Some people reported confusion with the crossing signs and the position of signals at the new junction layout.

A few survey responses raised concerns for the experience of vulnerable groups using the protected junctions, including the light controls not having sound for people with sight impairment, and trip hazards due to the path and road being at different heights.

A small number of those interviewed also highlighted cyclists not using bells, not observing red lights and travelling in the wrong direction.

The introduction of the protected junctions has allowed more people to walk, wheel and cycle safely in the South Side. Credit: John Linton, 2021.

Looking forwards

While initial findings from the study are very encouraging, the team noted that further work is required to support the roll out of these protected junctions.

“We are pleased by our initial findings after the introduction of the protected junctions on the Victoria Road section of the South City Way.

Those we spoke to reported an increased sense of safety when using the junctions, and the growth of cycle traffic volume since their installation shows they will be an important tool to encouraging more people to use active travel for everyday journeys.

However, we know that there is a lot more work to be done.

Future monitoring will capture more data on the direction of cyclists travelling along the cycleway, and there will be a focus on the experiences of vulnerable groups using the intervention to ensure that everyone is able to safely walk, wheel and cycle in Glasgow”.

Ben Farrington, RMU Evaluation Officer at Sustrans
Categories
News News & Opinion Project/Department Filtering Spaces for People

Sustrans publishes evaluation of temporary active travel programme

Sustrans is the charity which makes it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for more of their everyday journeys.

Supported by Transport Scotland, we provide funding and expertise to help deliver walking, wheeling and cycling improvements across Scotland.

Spaces for People was a flagship Scottish Government programme launched at the start of 2020 early in the COVID-19 pandemic to enable people to make essential journeys and exercise during lockdown.

Funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Sustrans Scotland, the £33 million fund was made available to local authorities and other statutory bodies to introduce temporary infrastructure across Scotland. 

The infrastructure was introduced to protect public health and alleviate the effects of lockdowns. 

Short term measures included widened pavements, pop-up cycle lanes and reduced speed limits.

Prior to Spaces for People interventions, such as temporarily widened footways, people weren’t able to adequate physically distance in many urban settings. Credit: Colin Hattersley/Sustrans, 2020.

These interventions allowed people to physically distance more easily.  

The interventions also helped maintain safe access to essential services such as healthcare, food or education services without using public transport.

The reports released provide insights on the extent to which Spaces for People achieved its overall aims as well as how those with protected characteristics were impacted by the programme.  

The report also highlights key learnings and recommendations to be taken forward. 

In total, 30 local authorities, 3 NHS trusts and TACTRAN took part in the programme, with each delivering their own projects.

Temporary cycle lanes were installed through the Spaces for People programme in order to create safe links to key destinations such as schools and healthcare sites. Credit: Colin Hattersley, 2020.

Together, this resulted in the implementation of 1,298 interventions in a 2-year period.

This is an unprecedented rate of delivery within the sector. 

Public support

Findings show that walking and cycling increased across Scotland while temporary measures were in place.  

The reports also show that public reception of the programme was generally more positive than negative.

Success of the programme

One of the key successes of the programme is the large number of temporary Spaces for People measures which have contributed to longer-term plans or new active travel projects in the area. 

This includes the closure of the Kelvin Way in Glasgow to motor traffic, and the people-first pedestrianisation of Union Street in Dundee that has benefitted many local businesses in the area. 

Interventions which have served their purpose and are no longer seen as relevant by communities are currently in the process of removal, if not removed already. 

This was the intention of the programme from the outset.

Lessons to be learned

Whilst the broader aims of protecting public health and facilitating essential journeys during the pandemic were largely met, a number of key lessons have been taken from the delivery of the programme.

Lack of availability of materials early in the pandemic meant that local authorities often had to rely on poorer quality and visually unappealing materials, such as traffic cones, to deliver temporary measures.

This was later rectified in some areas through the use of more welcoming fixtures, such as wooden community planters.

Feedback collected by Sustrans also highlighted that improved engagement with disability groups in addressing their concerns could have increased the overall success of the scheme. 

The learnings from the research will now be fed into a process of learning and continuous improvement over the coming months through a series of engagement sessions and workshops with delivery partners. 

“Spaces for People was an emergency response to the global pandemic – across the world, in places like New York, Paris and Berlin, streets were reshaped to meet the big shift in public demand for safer walking, wheeling and cycling.

These welcome reports from Sustrans Scotland show that many of the Scottish schemes have been successful and local authorities are choosing to make them permanent.

At the same time, delivering schemes swiftly and at scale raised issues that we can all learn and build on as we consider new permanent infrastructure.

The active travel landscape has improved much since Spaces for People was first announced.

Funding for active travel is now at record levels and set to increase further in future years, and we will work with partner organisations to ensure that inclusive design and accessibility is embedded in designs from the outset”.

Patrick Harvie, Minister for Active Travel

“Spaces for People was an enormous undertaking during what was an unprecedented time for all of us.”

“We are immensely proud of the successes it has achieved.”

“The temporary measures delivered through the programme ensured people across Scotland could safely distance from one another when making necessary journeys to key workplaces, schools, supermarkets and healthcare sites.”

“We are hugely appreciative of our delivery partners for their tireless work throughout the pandemic to make sure temporary measures were implemented both swiftly and safely.”

“We’d also like to thank Transport Scotland for providing the funding to facilitate the Spaces for People programme.”

Karen McGregor, Scotland Director, Sustrans

“The Spaces for People programme showed the importance of collaboration and communication between the multiple partners responsible for delivering safe and accessible active travel infrastructure in Scotland.” 
 
“SCOTS and our local authority members have been delighted to support the programme and its evaluation.”

“We look forward to embedding the lessons learned in developing best practice and continuing our collaborative active travel partnerships.” 

Chair of SCOTS, Walter Scott

You can find further information about the programme on our dedicated Spaces for People Showcase webpage, as well as the reports and key learnings below.

Spaces for People Evaluation Report
Spaces for People Evaluation Report (Easy Read)
Spaces for People Evaluation Report (Appendices)
Spaces for People Equalities Report
Spaces for People Equalities Report (Easy Read)
Spaces for People Lessons Learned
Spaces for People Equalities Report (Easy Read)

British Sign Language (BSL) versions of the report executive summaries are available upon request from our Places for Everyone team at PlacesForEveryone@sustrans.org.uk

Categories
Case Studies Homepage Featured News News & Opinion Project/Department Filtering Street Design

Residents key to transformation of Dumfries neighbourhood

Dumfries Street Design

The Dumfries Neighbourhood Street Design project transformed a once-neglected part of Dumfries town centre into a vibrant and high-quality pedestrianised space for people to walk, wheel and cycle. 

Developed jointly by residents, Sustrans and Dumfries and Galloway Council, the project was delivered in response to longstanding concerns over traffic movement in the Queen Street neighbourhood of Dumfries.

From the outset, residents, businesses and schools were encouraged to help with the aspirations and inclusive design of the project.

People living and working in Queen Street, McLellan Street, Brooke Street and Cumberland Street closely guided the changes carried out in their neighbourhood from initial design ideas through to the construction process.

This resulted in the installation of innovative artwork, traditional Victorian street lighting, gateways and a touch of greenery in the form of trees and planters.

Trees in planters installed along Cumberland Street in Dumfries as a traffic-calming measure.

The project also saw changes made to the road layout of all four streets and the area outside Theatre Royal on Shakespeare Street, including the addition of raised tables, wider pavements and street furniture.

This helped make the streets safer and more attractive for people to walk, wheel and cycle.

Key people involved in the delivery of the Dumfries Neighbourhood Street Design project talk about how the project came to be and impact of it still has for the community.

A collaborative effort

The team at Sustrans worked closely with the local community at each stage of the project to deliver the community’s vision for their local area.

A variety of engagement methods were used, including competitions, workshops, on-street consultations, guided bike rides, pop-up installations, and a ‘Big Lunch.’ 

The activities were specifically designed to bring people together, to inspire long term interest in their neighbourhood, to strengthen social connection and empowerment, and to co-design solutions.

During the project, residents of the area decided to form a constituted community group, DG1 Neighbours, which continues to undertake neighbourhood improvements even after the initial project was itself completed, such as the creation of a community garden. 

DG1 Neighbours were awarded the Civic Champion prize at the Scottish Civic Trust ‘My Place’ awards in 2018 for their support to the Dumfries Street Design Project. 

Sustrans’ aim was to build up trust and learn about the community – getting people out of their houses, meeting their neighbours and bringing them together.

This approach achieves far more than better street design: it gives communities a sense of empowerment, momentum, and community cohesion.

Voices from the team

Paul Ruffles, Principal Designer at Sustrans Scotland said:

“This is a benchmark project for high quality collaborative design. This project showcases what can be achieved when communities and partners to work together to build ambition and implement visions for the places they live in.”

“As a result of this project the neighbourhood has become a greener, quieter space with a strong character that celebrates the areas heritage and actively encourages people to spend time in or walk, wheel or cycle through.”

Local community group DG1 Neighbours added:

“It’s great to see the positive changes that have taken place over the past few years in our neighbourhood and the celebration event helped to remind everyone of the transformation.”

“Thanks to Sustrans and Dumfries and Galloway Council for their determination to see the project through to the end. More residents are taking pride in the neighbourhood and they are even starting to adopt the on-street planters.”

“We now look forward to formalising our community group and building on the successful outcomes of this project.”  

The project was jointly funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council and Sustrans with funding from Transport Scotland.

Categories
Engage • Inspire • Learn News News & Opinion PfE Places for Everyone

Places for Everyone Application Information Session – Community Groups

Final submissions for Places for Everyone Concept (Stages 0-2) applications are due by the end of August 23rd 2022.

Ahead of this, an information session was delivered to community-led organisations, which had received a successful Expression of Interest outcome. A small cohort of the Places for Everyone team provided an overview of the Application Guidance and supplementary guidance for community-led organisations and outlined the next steps in the process.

Key questions answered

  1. Are letters from stakeholders (for example, support letters) required?
    They aren’t required; however, they will support your application as evidence.
  2. How detailed should the estimated costs be, and do you have advice on what approach to take when calculating these figures?
    We don’t expect accurate figures, so provide your best guess at this stage.
  3. Is there guidance on existing project costs to refer to?
    Sustrans have not created guidance for this because it can vary significantly. It is a good idea to use the resources you have, and you can search online for comparable projects. The important part is evidencing why you have come to that conclusion. Transport Scotland has some guidance on their website on to arrive at estimation costs.
  4. Do you have a list of consultants and contacts that have been involved in similar work?
    We are unable to provide a list of consultants or to provide recommendations taking in to account it is public funding.
  5. Is it possible to arrange an appointment with a Grant Advisor before submitting the full application?
    We can arrange individual appointments for those who would find this beneficial and have received a successful Expression of Interest outcome. To arrange this, please email PlacesForEveryone@sustrans.org.uk with suggestions of dates/times that are convenient for you.
  6. Is it okay to have an overlap in the delivery team e.g., Community Engagement Lead and Communications Lead to be the same person?An overlap in the delivery team is acceptable.
  7. Is an email sufficient evidence of support from local authorities?
    Yes, if it is clear and it has a signature with their name, job title and organisation.

Full slides from the session can be downloaded below:

Community Group Information Session slides
Categories
Engage • Inspire • Learn News News & Opinion PfE Places for Everyone

Places for Everyone Application Information Session – All Partners

20 mph painted on road

Final submissions for Places for Everyone Concept (Stages 0-2) applications are due by the end of August 23rd 2022.

Ahead of this, Heads of Programme Chiquita Elvin and Simon Strain outline the key changes to the Places for Everyone application process and answer a number of questions from applicants.

Key questions answered

  1. How essential is it for local authorities to submit Expressions of Interest for new projects?
    Expressions of Interest allow applicants to receive a quick response on whether their project proposal aligns with the aim of Places for Everyone, thereby reducing the time expended on a full application for a project proposal that is not eligible.
  2. If a project is being delivered as a trial within a calendar year, what stage should this be submitted to: 0-2, 3-4, 5-7?
    We consider trials from stages 0 to 4, therefore it would be 100% funded. If you’re needing to run trials to decide on a preferred option, then we’re happy to discuss this with you to determine which stage the trial would be most appropriate.
  3. Will Sustrans consider retrospectively funding projects?
    For consistency and transparency, we’ll be looking to only be funding work into the future or yet to happen.
  4. If your Expression of Interest is unsuccessful, can you make amendments to your proposal and still apply through the portal?
    Yes, Places for Everyone can provide feedback on why the project was considered ineligible. Changes can then be made in response to this feedback and a second expression of interest submitted to reassess eligibility.
  5. Is the fund open to local authorities only or can community councils/groups apply if they have a proposal?
    The fund is open to applications from community organisations including community councils, development trusts and more. We would encourage interested parties to read the guidance for community organisations.
  6. If we have undertaken Concept (Stages 0-2) with another agency, should we still submit our expression of interest?
    Yes, the expression of interest assesses the project’s eligibility for funding. Please refer to the deliverables for stages 0-2 to assess if all deliverables have been sufficiently met by the previous agency.
  7. Have you increased your standards (i.e. paths should be a minimum of 3 metres in width)?
    Working to the standards specified in Cycling By Design, the width of paths in our projects should be appropriate for the estimated levels of usage. The benefits of a wider path enable improved comfort, travelling side-by-side, social experiences, and more robust infrastructure. However, we recognise there are barriers to development, such as width constraints, geological constraints, and land ownership. We promote a width of at least 3 metres wherever possible.
  8. Is there support available to go over draft applications ahead of submission?
    This service is not currently available, though we wish to organise this in future – recruitment is ongoing. Currently, we can offer technical support for all applicants, and additional application support for community groups.
  9. Due to heritage constraints, it’s not easy to build cycle infrastructure (e.g. cycle lanes on setted streets). Will this type of project be scored lower or will this be something that is taken into consideration?
    Scoring for this type of project would not be affected. We would encourage consideration of alternate routes that utilise streets that are un-setted, safer or more suitable.
  10. Is there any additional support for community groups with the application?
    We have organised three Applicant Information Sessions for community organisations during week commencing Monday 15th August 2022, which are available to community organisations who have submitted an expression of interest and were successful at this stage.

Full slides from the session can be downloaded below:

All Partners Information Session slides
Categories
News News & Opinion Places for Everyone

Applications now open for Places for Everyone funding

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Places for Everyone fund is open to Concept (Stages 0-2) project applications.

Funded by the Scottish Government, Places for Everyone aims to create safer, more attractive, healthier, and inclusive places by increasing and diversifying the number of trips made by walking, wheeling, or cycling for everyday journeys.

Concept (Stages 0-2) projects are the first step in delivering high quality active travel infrastructure, serving to define the scope of a project, its desired outcomes and helping to develop a final project concept design.

What does this mean for you?

Both new and existing partners, big and small, are invited to apply for funding, from large statutory organisations like local authorities to smaller community organisations and development trusts.

Major urban active travel projects, such as the South City Way in Glasgow are currently being delivered using Places for Everyone funding. ©2019, John Linton, all rights reserved.

We can award 100% of design costs and 70% of construction costs and will work with you to identify any match funding needed.

All our Places for Everyone partners can also look forward to receiving tailored support and guidance from Sustrans to ensure every project achieves the best possible outcome.

“Delivering high quality and accessible walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure has always been of the utmost importance to us. From multi-million-pound city transformations to new rural community active travel links, the Places for Everyone fund has allowed us to work closely with partners all across Scotland. We look forward to continuing to support more active travel projects to becoming a reality”.

Karen McGregor, Scotland Director, Sustrans
Rural community-led projects, such as the All Abilities Path at Kinloch Rannoch, have used funding to create accessible local path networks. ©2022, Perth & Kinross Community Trust, all rights reserved.

“Sustained investment in walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure is crucial in helping to build a more active nation. With the Places for Everyone fund now open to new applications, supported by record funding here in Scotland for active travel, we will continue to enable our villages, towns and cities to build the right kind of transformative infrastructure in the right places – making active travel easier for shorter everyday journeys.”

Patrick Harvie, Minister for Active Travel, Scottish Government

What are the key dates?

All of our key upcoming dates, including those for other upcoming stage groupings, can be found below:

Stage 0-2 Applications Open
Stage 0-2 Application Deadline
Stage 0-2 Panel

Stage 3-4 Applications Open
Stage 3-4 Application Deadline
Stage 3-4 Panel

Stage 5-7 Applications Open
Stage 5-7 Application Deadline
Stage 5-7 Panel

25 July 2022
23 August 2022
31 October 2022

19 September 2022
18 October 2022
19 December 2022

31 October 2022
29 November 2022
6 February 2023

How can I apply?

If you are interested in receiving funding for your project, you can submit a short Expression of Interest application to outline your proposal.

If this is successful, you will then be invited to submit a Full Application through our Project Portal.

Our new and updated application guidance for all partners and community groups is available below to help in creating your application

All partners
Concept (Stages 0-2)
Appendix Concept (Stage 0-2)
Community organisations

Applications to the programme will remain open for 4 weeks until 23rd August 2022.

For further information about the Places for Everyone scheme, visit our dedicated partner Places for Everyone page or contact the team at PlacesForEveryone@sustrans.org.uk

Categories
News News & Opinion Places for Everyone

Places for Everyone fund update

We are reopening!

After more than a year away, the Places for Everyone fund is set to open again to new and existing project applications for Concept (Stages 0-2) from 25th July 2022.

To prepare for this, our team are working hard to ensure that updated Application Guidance is made available to partners as soon as possible.

This updated guidance will be made available to all partners on 11th July 2022.

In the meantime, partners can use our existing guidance or refer to Cycling by Design.

From the opening date of 25th July 2022, partners will then have four weeks to submit their applications for the deadline of 23rd August 2022.

A Decision Making Panel will be held on 31st October 2022.

Updated programme aim

We have brought our programme aim up to date to emphasise that projects which receive Places for Everyone funding should be truly for everyone.

All Places for Everyone projects must deliver capital infrastructure which helps to achieve this aim to:

Create safer, more attractive, healthier, and inclusive places which are enjoyed equitably by increasing and diversifying the number of trips made by walking, wheeling or cycling for everyday journeys.  

Examples of the types of projects Places for Everyone is able to fund can be found on the Our Projects page.

New Expression of Interest

We will be launching an online Expression of Interest form via our partner-facing Places for Everyone page on 11th July 2022.

A new shorter Expression of Interest form will allow partners to submit a basic project proposal to Places for Everyone and receive a response within one week as to whether the proposed project is something Places for Everyone can fund.

Whilst submitting an Expression of Interest is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended and will help us to process your Full Application more quickly.

The only information required from an Expression of Interest proposal will be the contact details of your organisation and a basic description of the project proposed, including it’s aims and which Stage(s) funding is being applied for.

If your Expression of Interest is successful, you will be invited to submit a Full Application via the Project Portal.

There are three separate project applications groupings which can be applied for through Places for Everyone. Concept (Stages 0-2); Design (Stages 3-4); and Construction (5-7).

Clearer eligibility for community organisations

To support community organisations to understand whether they are eligible we will be launching a quick and anonymous Eligibility Assessment on Monday 11th July 2022.  

This Eligibility Assessment will ask community groups to complete a short set of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions and receive an immediate response on whether they are eligible to apply for funding.

Eligible community organisations will then be invited to submit an Expression of Interest form, provided they already have a project vision in mind.

The Eligibility Assessment will consider the following requirements:

  • Ability to manage long-term financial obligations
  • Possession of Public Liability Insurance
  • Support from relevant local authority
  • Understanding of CDM regulations
  • Possession of a signed constitution
  • Required number of board members in accordance with constitution

Key dates

Applications, Deadlines and Panels

  • Applications for new and existing Concept (Stage 0-2) projects open on July 25th 2022.
  • Updated guidance will be made available on 11th July 2022.
  • The application deadline for Concept (Stage 0-2) projects is 23rd August 2022.
  • A Decision Making Panel will be held on 31st October 2022.

Expressions of Interest

  • An online version of our Expression of Interest form will launch for all partners on 11th July 2022.

Eligibility

  • An Eligibility Assessment for community organisations will launch on 11th July 2022.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions.

You may contact your project officer or PlacesforEveryone@sustrans.org.uk directly.

Categories
Case Studies News News & Opinion Places for Everyone Project/Department Filtering

Opening the Loch Indaal Way

An opening event was held in October 2021, attended by local children from Port Charlotte Primary School with music provided by the Islay Pipe Band. Credit: ©2021, Islay Community Access Group, all rights reserved.

The Loch Indaal Way joins the communities of Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich via a safe, accessible and traffic-free route.

Prior to this, the sole existing link between the two communities was a section of the A847 carriageway, a national speed limit road which offers little protection to those walking wheeling and cycling on the island.

The newly completed off-road route has already proved popular with local residents and business owners, with its frequency of use expected to greatly increase when the tourist season returns.

Making waves in rural design

The Loch Indaal Way provides 2.53km of traffic-free route between the Islay communities of Bruchladdich and Port Charlotte. Credit: ©2021, Lisa Irvine/Sustrans, all rights reserved.

The Loch Indaal Way project was spearheaded by the Islay Community Access Group (ICAG), a local network of volunteers with a vision to increase health and wellbeing through greater outdoor accessibility.

Patrick McGrann, Head of the ICAG, said:

“ICAG, a small voluntary group, worked for 6 years to deliver the Loch Indaal Way. We are extremely proud of our new community asset .To see local folk and visitors of all ages and abilities enjoying access to the countryside is heart warming. We have involved our community throughout and all have ownership and satisfaction of a job well done.”

Pat McGrann, Head, Islay Community Access Group

With the support of Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, ICAG secured the a large part of the funding to deliver the 2.53km off-road active travel route.

Sustrans and ICAG previously worked together to deliver the lauded Three Distilleries Path at Port Ellen, a popular 5km active travel route which takes in the Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries.

Emily Gait, Infrastructure Coordinator for Sustrans, said:

“The Loch Indaal Way is a great example of where a community have worked together to create a project which meets the needs of the people who live and visit the area. Inclusive designs and strong community backing have been key to the ultimate success of this project.

Going forward, we hope this inspires other small communities across Scotland to nurture their own walking, wheeling and cycling ambitions.”

Emily Gait, Infrastructure Coordinator, Sustrans

Key features of the route include three upgraded and newly created crossings, as well as landscaping and placemaking initiatives such as the provision of comfortable seating areas and shrubbery sections.

Smooth gradients and minimal placement of steps also maximise accessibility for users with limited mobility.

Change through community

New and upgraded crossings, minimal steps and barriers, as well as added seating areas and landscaping initiatives were fundamental to the designs. Credit: ©2021, Lisa Irvine/Sustrans, all rights reserved.

The proposals to create a new off-road walking, wheeling and cycling route between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich received popular community support from the outset.

Through an proactive and considered period of engagement, ICAG worked closely with local landowners to secure necessary land donations to make the path a reality.

The local Bruichladdich Distillery also became involved in the promotion and funding behind the project, even entering into a maintenance agreement with ICAG to ensure to path stays fit for purpose.

AJ Cunningham, Operations Manager at Bruichladdich Distillery, said:

“Even before the path was finalised, it was being adopted by a lot of locals. I don’t think this was out of them being inquisitive, either. It’s just a really enjoyable and risk-free way to walk where they didn’t have that option before.

I don’t think it could’ve worked out any better unless you took it all the way out to Bridgend!”.

AJ Cunningham, Operations Manager, Bruichladdich Distillery

Evident local enthusiasm for project only further increased as construction got well underway against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

A safer, healthier future

An opening event for the Loch Indaal Way took place in October 2021, featuring attendees from Port Charlotte Primary School and the Islay Pipe Band. Credit: ©2021, Islay Community Access Group, all rights reserved.

At an opening event in October of last year, children from Port Charlotte Primary School led a procession along the Loch Indaal Way from the Port Ban war memorial to Bruichladdich Town Hall.

They were joined on-route by local residents, members of ICAG and the local Baptist Minister, as well as the musical stylings of the Islay Pipe Band.

After passing several renowned destinations, including the Bruichladdich Distillery, the event culminated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting, which officially opened the route for all users to enjoy.

Children from Port Charlotte Primary School have provided artworks depicting key attractions along the route, including St. Kiaran’s Church and Loch Idaal House lighthouse. Credit: ©2021, Islay Community Access Group, all rights reserved.

Six months on, and The Loch Indaal Way is now an indispensable part of daily life on Islay.

A local group of swimmers use the path for convenient access to the beach as part of weekly meet-ups.

Attendees of St Kiaran’s Church hold fortnightly walks along the path.

A recently installed cycle repair station has also been well received by the community, ensuring daily errands, active commutes and leisure trips are able to continue with minimal disruption.