Category: Places for Everyone

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Analysis shows increase in active travel after project delivery

Staff and volunteers from Glasgow's Hidden Garden set up planters off Victoria Road as part of the South City Way Small Grants Scheme, funded by Sustrans and Glasgow City Council

The 2020/21 evaluation report published today provides evidence on the key impacts of the Places for Everyone grant fund, and demonstrates the contributions of the programme to the outcomes set out in Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Framework.

The report also highlights how the programme performed during the pandemic and the baseline monitoring currently being undertaken for projects in the design stage.

The Places for Everyone programme is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans.

The programme is open to a range of organisations in Scotland – including local authorities and community groups – that enables the creation of active travel infrastructure.

In addition to funding, the programme also provides advice and support to partners on establishing safe, attractive, healthier places in our urban and rural areas.

There are currently around 250 projects in place or in development as part of the Places for Everyone programme.

Impact of the programme

The report aggregated data from projects across the lifespan of the Places for Everyone programme up to and including the 2020/21 funding year. This includes Sustrans Scotland’s previous Community Links and Community Links Plus grant funds.

One of the key findings is that walking, wheeling, and cycling numbers increased after the completion of infrastructure projects.  

Results from an analysis of 30 projects showed a 54% average estimated rise in active travel trips after initial delivery.

Further study showed that the increase in active travel was sustained one year after delivery, with 24 projects averaging a 37% increase in trips.

The 2020/21 evaluation report provides evidence on the key impacts of the Places for Everyone grant fund and demonstrates the contributions of the programme to the outcomes set out in Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Framework.

The monitoring also suggests that the programme led to an improvement in the perception of safety among both pedestrians and cyclists.

This was particularly evident among groups who traditionally regard safety as a barrier to active travel, including women, the elderly and disabled people.

Local people’s perceptions of community involvement in planned Places for Everyone projects were equally encouraging.

In Glasgow, a survey of 984 local residents found that 71% felt the Connecting Woodside project would either greatly or slightly improve the sense of community in their area.

Monitoring and evaluation during the pandemic

Results show that Places for Everyone projects were particularly beneficial to communities in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The programme helped mitigate against some of the impacts at local level by providing safe active travel options for key workers and others.

The projects saw increases in walking, wheeling and cycling during a period of unparalleled societal change.

In Edinburgh, for example, the Innocent Railway path project saw a 344% growth in cycling between 2014 and during the pandemic in 2020.

The report aggregated data from projects across the lifespan of the Places for Everyone programme up to and including the 2020/21 funding year.

Looking ahead

The Places for Everyone programme is committed to enabling more people in Scotland to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys.

The Research and Monitoring Unit are continuing to monitor a sample of projects currently at design stage, and will update their analysis with projects from 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Planned work includes upgrading active travel routes, improvements to public spaces in our towns and cities, connecting communities and key hubs and addressing local safety issues.

This highlights the variety in the programme’s work, with projects ranging from rural to urban and village to city.

It also evidences Places for Everyone’s contributions to wider development projects such as local masterplans and flood defence schemes.

One of the key findings is that walking, wheeling, and cycling numbers increased after the completion of infrastructure projects.  

Nigel Donnell from Sustrans’ Research and Monitoring Unit, said:

“We’re really pleased to be able to share this evaluation report. It highlights that the Places for Everyone programme is helping people throughout Scotland to walk, wheel and cycle for more of their everyday journeys.

We are really proud of everything it has achieved so far, and with around 250 projects in place or in development the fund will continue to play an important role in creating safer, more attractive, healthier, and inclusive communities.

We’d like to thank Transport Scotland for providing the funding to facilitate the Places for Everyone fund, and our delivery partners whose hard work has ensured the success of the programme”.

The full report is available on request, if you would like to find out more contact nigel.donnell@sustrans.org.uk.

PLACES FOR EVERYONE 20-21 IMPACT REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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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.

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Community-designed park opens on Orkney

Arcadia Park is a new community-designed green space and active travel network in Kirkwall, Orkney.

Built on what was previously a section of underused land adjacent to Balfour Hospital, the project sought to transform the area into a place where local residents can take time out and relax.

The new park provides somewhere that can be used for walking, wheeling, cycling, and spending time outdoors.

The project officially opened on the 24th September 2022.

A place to unwind

The Arcadia Park project has created a peaceful place where local people can exercise, switch off and connect with the natural environment in Orkney’s largest town.

The 33,000 square metre site is now home to ponds, wildflower meadows, woodland and sculpture.

These features are all connected by a network of accessible active travel routes, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the space.

The day-to-day management of the park is undertaken by a group of volunteers from Arcadia Community Park Group.

Arcadia Park is a new community-designed green space and active travel network in Kirkwall. Credit: Sustrans 2022.

Inspiration behind the project

The project stemmed from the aspirations of a local community group to transform an area of open space opposite the new Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall. 

Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Service (OACAS) took up a maintenance agreement with Orkney Islands Council for the site in 2017.

OACAS aimed to use the space to rehabilitate young offenders by providing opportunities to develop horticultural skills in partnership with Orkney College UHI.

In 2018, Orkney Island Council founded the Your Kirkwall initiative – an engagement project to create a community led vision for the future of the town. 

OACAS contributed their ideas for the plot, emphasising the potential to connect the new hospital with residential areas and future development land located nearby via an inclusive, all-abilities path.  

Arcadia Park has been built on what was previously a section of underused land adjacent to Balfour Hospital. Credit: Sustrans 2022.

Overcoming challenges

In 2020 the project faced a significant challenge when OACAS went into liquidation. 

This caused some uncertainty around the future of Arcadia Park.

However, those involved were determined to see it succeed.

The key contact from OACAS and the landscape architect who carried out the design work set up the Arcadia Community Park Group later that year. 

The group continues to go from strength to strength and today oversees the day-to-day management of the park.

ArtRoots involvement

The Places for Everyone funded developments concluded in early 2021.

In April that year, Arcadia Community Park Group applied for funding for an ArtRoots project to further enhance the space.

The application was for a new sculpture and wildflower planting to complement the trees and grassy areas.

The design was created based on ideas submitted from children at the local schools – a meteorite which lands in the park and becomes home to a family of Orcadian Voles.

A local storyteller then created a story to go with the sculpture.

The 33,000 square metre site is now home to ponds, wildflower meadows, woodland and sculpture. Credit: Sustrans 2022.

Landscaping took place to create a crater with the meteor at its centre.

Paths throughout the park lead to the sculpture, making it a focal point of the site.

An end result to be proud of

Arcadia Park officially opened in September 2022 at a launch event attended by over 100 people including local residents, partners and Sustrans representatives. 

At the launch, local residents reflected on the difference Arcadia Park has made to the community.

“The park has opened up an area that was previously just a boggy scrub.”

“It has provided a quiet place to relax, and somewhere that children can walk and learn to ride their bikes away from the busy roads”.

“The new route is now a popular way to travel between the residential areas and the town centre.”

Local resident, Kirkwall

Michael Harvey, Senior Project Officer at Sustrans, reflected the positivity about the completed project, stating:

“We are so excited to see the completion of the Arcadia Park project, and to hear about the difference it has already made to the local community we have worked closely with.”

“These works have delivered a quiet space where everybody living in the area can unwind outdoors, as well as safely travelling in and around Kirkwall.”

“Routes such as this are such an important step into empowering more people to walk, wheel, and cycle.”

Michael Harvey, Senior Project Officer, Sustrans

Arcadia Community Park Group is now applying for additional funding to provide wooden signs and notice boards.

They are also looking to develop a plant nursery to give local students the opportunity to develop their horticultural skills.

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An introduction to Concept (Stages 0-2)

Colleagues from partner organisations around Scotland – including local authorities and community groups – were invited to attend the session online, to help get their projects off to the best possible start.

The event included insights from senior colleagues from Sustrans’ Places for Everyone and Engineering & Assurance teams, and from two local authority partners who have recently completed exemplary Concept stages for Places for Everyone funded projects. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in Q&A sessions with the speakers.

Setting the scene

Chiquita Elvin, Head of Delivery for Places for Everyone (Services), opened the session. She explained recent changes to the application process and funding requirements, and how these will make projects – and the programme as a whole – more successful and impactful.

Stage groupings, deliverables, and lessons learnt

Andrew MacFarlane, Sustrans’ Capital and Technical Advisor, explained the stages of a Places for Everyone project, and the requirements for projects in the earlier stages of development. He also offered advice on areas where project documentation commonly falls short, based on experiences from previous projects.

Andrew-MacFarlane-RIBA-Stages-0-2-Presentation-29-11-22Download

Case Study: Falkirk, Denny and Bonnybridge

At a recent funding panel, Falkirk Council were awarded Design (Stages 3-4) funding for their project, which will provide a high quality active travel connection between three settlements. Lynn Slavin, Transport Planning Officer at the Council, described their experience of taking the project through the Concept stages.

Lynn-Slavin-Denny-Bonnybridge-Falkirk-Presentation-29-11-22Download

Case Study: Granton Waterfront, Edinburgh

City of Edinburgh Council have recently completed the Concept stage of their Western Villages Active Travel Route project, which will make it easier to walk, wheel, and cycle around the Granton Waterfront development. Cameron Baillie, the project lead from the Council, provided an overview of the project, including what went well, and the challenges encountered.

Cameron-Baillie-Granton-Waterfront-Sustrans-Presentation-29-11-22-UpdatedDownload

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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
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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
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New path network opens to the public at Malls Mire woodland

In June 2022, opening celebrations were held for the new path network in the Toryglen area of Glasgow that will make walking, wheeling, and cycling more accessible.

The project forms part of a much larger multi-million-pound regeneration of the Malls Mire woodland in the southside of the city, known as the Malls Mire Woodland Regeneration Project.

The creation of this fantastic community space was possible thanks to the collaboration of Sustrans, Clyde Gateway, Urban Roots, Nature Scot and Idverde landscaping services.

At the launch event we caught up with members of the local community and those responsible for bringing the project to fruition to hear about the positive impacts the regeneration has had on the area.

What is Malls Mire?

The Malls Mire Woodland Regeneration Project has created an urban oasis between Toryglen and Rutherglen in the southside of Glasgow.

What was once 15.7 hectares of derelict land is now home to a mixed-use park, wetland, nature reserve and woodland.

These features are all connected by a network of routes that run throughout the site.

The space offers both local and wider communities somewhere they can use for exercise, volunteering and education as well as unwinding in nature. 

Malls Mire was the first Community Woodland in Glasgow and became a Local Nature Reserve in 2015.

Inspiration behind the project

Connecting people with the natural world leaves them feeling happier and healthier.

In Toryglen, local people identified an opportunity to create a place where everyone could enjoy these benefits right on their doorstep.

This project has stemmed from many years of community and volunteer engagement to regenerate the land into a beautiful greenspace.

“This is a transformational regeneration area where there used to be old high-rise flats down to the east.

As the new housing developed there were spaces left, and with that came a big push to try and improve the greenspace.

If you only improve the housing but not the things in between it, you are potentially creating a problem and doing a disservice to the community”

Dougie Cameron, Project Manager, Clyde Gateway

Delivering Malls Mire

Urban Roots – a community led environmental charity working across the southside of Glasgow – have been involved with the project since 2009.

In 2018 they embarked on a Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund project called Growing Connections.

By working together with Sustrans, Clyde Gateway and Glasgow City Council this developed into a more ambitious vision for the area, including the design of an active travel strategy for North Toryglen.

The local community were involved at every stage of the project and inputted at a number of engagement events over the years.

Construction work began in November 2020 and completed a year later.

A lasting impact

Malls Mire officially opened to the public in June 2022 at an event that was attended by the local community, partners and politicians.

At the launch, community members were reflective about their memories of growing up in Toryglen.

Reflecting on how the area has changed, one local resident told us:

“When we were younger there was nothing for us to do except from hanging around the streets and causing trouble.

Now the kids have this opportunity so close to hand – in a scheme like this that had nothing back in the day.

It’s brilliant, brilliant – a big change!”

Local resident, Toryglen

Emily Gait, Grant Manager for Sustrans, was equally positive about the completed project, stating:

“We are so excited to see the completion of the new path network in the Malls Mire woodland, and to celebrate its opening with the local community who have supported us throughout the project.

These works have delivered an accessible space where everybody living in the area can safely enjoy being active and spending time outdoors.

Routes such as this are such an important step into empowering more people to walk, wheel, and cycle.”

Emily Gait, Grant Manager, Sustrans
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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
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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