Scotland’s Active Nation Commissioner concludes service
Lee Craigie, Scotland’s Active Nation Commissioner, has concluded her appointment.
Lee’s role has been to act as a national advocate for walking, wheeling and cycling in Scotland – raising the profile of these inclusive and sustainable modes of travel while promoting their heath, environmental, social and economic benefits right across the country.
The Active Nation Commissioner has also worked independently to constructively challenge policy and strategy – supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Framework and working to ensure that active travel is accessible and inclusive for all.
Concluding the role, Lee has published a final report, putting forward a number of recommendations which have been considered by Ministers. Reflecting on her time in post and on the report, Lee Craigie, Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland said:
“My three years as Scotland’s Active Nation Commissioner have been as challenging as they have been rewarding. I am proud of what has been achieved through the creation of this role, and optimistic for the work we will see in the future to increase levels of physical activity in Scotland in tangible, timely and transformative ways. We desperately need this now for a healthier, happier, fairer Scotland and as part of the answer to our shared global environmental crisis.”
Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie said:
“I’m grateful for the contribution Lee has made to the active travel agenda. Our ambitions and aspirations for active travel are now in an entirely different space compared to when the Active Nation Commissioner was first appointed, and Lee has played a big part in that.
“Lee’s thoughtful, considered and holistic approach has been invaluable – as is clearly evident from her final report. We’ve been able to discuss the range of recommendations in the report and are entirely aligned on the need for change and improvement. Some recommendations map directly onto work already planned or in progress, others we will reflect upon, and some we will seek to take forward in other ways. I hope that Lee’s trusted and impartial voice can continue to contribute to our ongoing work to improve the delivery of support and infrastructure for active travel.
“With a commitment to investing £320 million, equating to 10% of the overall transport budget on active travel by 2024/25 – we have a big job ahead in ensuring our record funding is invested in a way which maximises the potential to transform communities. I want Lee to play a role in this going forward – a view that I’m pleased is shared across all of our active travel delivery partners.”
Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport Maree Todd said:
“I would like to thank Lee in her role as Active Nation Commissioner for the great work she has done during her term collaborating with partners to raise the profile of the benefits of physical activity to health and wellbeing.
"Working alongside partners such as Paths for All, The Daily Mile Foundation, Living Streets and many others, Lee’s voice has been instrumental in ensuring that we continue to collaborate and promote building good physical activity behaviours through her ‘Everyday Active’ podcasts and ‘The Joy of Movement’ project.”
For more information on how the Scottish Government is working to build an Active Nation visit www.transport.gov.scot/activenation