MORE than £9.3 million in investment has been committed to develop the next wave of active travel routes in Glasgow.
The funding includes a £3.7 million grant award from Transport Scotland’s active travel infrastructure fund (ATIF) tier two, of which £2.8 million will support the construction of three major active travel routes – connecting Battlefield phase two, connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove phases two and three, and east city way phase five, with work due to begin on a project-by-project basis between November 2026 and February 2027.
The remaining £920,000 will help shape future active travel improvements – supporting design work on an Anderston Plaza, connecting Glasgow inner north and inner south, connecting Greater Govan phase one, and connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove phase four. Glasgow City Could said the early work will put these major projects in a stronger position to move quickly into delivery when further funding becomes available.
ATIF tier one funding of £5.4 million will support a range of public realm and accessibility improvements, from pedestrian upgrades on Dumbarton Road at Thornwood Roundabout to design work on phase two of the people first zone in the Merchant City. It will also fund safer crossings, wider pavements, school cycle shelters and other neighbourhood measures aimed at making everyday walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more accessible.
Tier one funding will also support design work on future phases of east city way, connecting Greater Govan and flourishing Molendinar – helping move the projects closer to delivery.
Meanwhile, a local authority direct award of just over £225,000 will support programmes that help people choose active and sustainable travel for everyday journeys. This includes the council’s staff travel plan, road safety education in schools, cycling and walking route mapping, winter gritting of cycle routes, and projects delivered with community partners and major employers across the city.
Councillor Angus Millar, Glasgow City Council city convener for transport and climate, said, “Glasgow has an impressive record of delivering active travel infrastructure in recent years – and we are seeing the results, with more and more Glaswegians choosing the bike for everyday journeys as we build out our safe, protected network.
“This funding will help us deliver further major improvements on the ground while preparing the next wave of active travel projects across Glasgow.
“It will allow us to extend key routes including the connecting Battlefield, East City Way and Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove projects. And it means we will progress new schemes such as Anderston Plaza, which will see public space upgrades at Anderston Station while connecting the new Argyle Street West Avenue to the existing cycle route at Elderslie Street.
“Alongside these major schemes, the funding will improve streets and public spaces across the city through better crossings, safer junctions and more accessible routes, making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys.
“We’re already seeing growing demand for active travel, with cycling trips in Glasgow increasing significantly in recent years. This investment will help us build on that momentum, deliver improvements now and maintain a strong pipeline of future projects.”
