Transport Scotland's active travel projects: FOI release

Information requested

• The total amount of budget Transport Scotland allocated to active travel projects in this financial year as at April 2025?
• The total amount of grant Transport Scotland has awarded to Local Authority active travel projects in this financial year to date?
• Provide a list of active travel grants awarded to Local Authorities this financial year, giving the applicant’s name, amount and date grant was awarded?
• How much of the total amount of funding as per Q1 has not yet been allocated or awarded to active travel projects in this financial year?
• What is the estimated underspend in the active travel budget for this financial year?
• Provide the service standards used by Transport Scotland in assessing grant applications for Active Travel projects, including time taken from receipt of the application for grant to the issue of the formal award of grant by TS. If the service standard differs across the range of grant funds available then please identify the service standard for each grant fund
• Provide a copy of the processes and procedures used by staff in assessing Local Authority grant applications for Active Travel projects
• How much funding has been provided to Argyll and Bute Council to date for active travel projects in this financial year?
• How much funding has been earmarked for active travel projects in Argyll and Bute Council between now and the end of this financial year? When will this be formally offered?

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested;

• The total amount of budget Transport Scotland allocated to active travel projects in this financial year as at April 2025?

To help local authorities across the country to deliver on their ambitions, the Scottish Government reported investment of over £188 million in active and sustainable transport in 2025–26. This information was published in the 2025/26 budget paper. Along with this publication was a level 3 table breakdown (table 8.04) and a level 4 breakdown (see below) which highlights the planned allocated Active Travel budget for the year ahead.

• The total amount of grant Transport Scotland has awarded to Local Authority active travel projects in this financial year to date?

A breakdown of grants made by Transport Scotland to Local Authorities for Active Travel Projects is attached to this document as Annex 1.

• Provide a list of active travel grants awarded to Local Authorities this financial year, giving the applicant’s name, amount and date grant was awarded?

A breakdown of grants made by Transport Scotland to Local Authorities for Active Travel Projects, including names of applicants and dates of award, is attached to this document as Annex 1.

• How much of the total amount of funding as per Q1 has not yet been allocated or awarded to active travel projects in this financial year?

A breakdown of the allocated Active Travel Budget has been published recently by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport when corresponding to the NZET committee on 17th November 2025, a copy of this communication can be found on this link. 

• What is the estimated underspend in the active travel budget for this financial year? 

There has been no highlighted underspend from funded programmes to date.

• Provide the service standards used by Transport Scotland in assessing grant applications for Active Travel projects, including time taken from receipt of the application for grant to the issue of the formal award of grant by TS. If the service standard differs across the range of grant funds available then please identify the service standard for each grant fund

There are no set Service Standards linked to the Active Travel budget, grant awards are issued at the earliest points after funding has been approved and all necessary details have been submitted by the applicant.

• Provide a copy of the processes and procedures used by staff in assessing Local Authority grant applications for Active Travel projects?

A number of awards to Local Authorities are applied under Verity House Agreement Principles that set the basis for the standards of partnership, a copy of this agreement can be found on this link .

The following guidance is considered when assessing applications;
Places for Everyone Impact Scoring Guidance
Cycling by Design Guidance

• How much funding has been provided to Argyll and Bute Council to date for active travel projects in this financial year?

Transport Scotland has provided £ 714,998.98 to Argyll and Bute Council as of the date of this letter.

• How much funding has been earmarked for active travel projects in Argyll and Bute Council between now and the end of this financial year? When will this be formally offered?

The funding model does not include a dedicated allocation process. For funds that require an application, a submission window is opened during the year to enable Local Authorities to submit project applications. If approved, these projects are supported through a formal Grant Award.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500495899 - Information released - Level 4 breakdown

File type

Excel document

File size

281.8 kB

FOI 202500495899 - Information released - Annex 1

File type

PDF

File size

233.6 kB