Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes
CWSR was provided to all 32 LAs in 2023-24, and distributed on a population pro-rata basis. Funding of £35m was provided, allowing LAs the flexibility to choose which Active Travel infrastructure measures to implement, based on local priority and need. LAs adhered to the principles of the Active Travel Framework and Cycling by Design when designing, developing, and delivering their programme of works funded through CWSR.
From 2024-25, CWSR has been superseded by Tier 1 of the ATIF. With a reduced administrative burden for LAs in delivering the Fund, and aligned with the principles of the Verity House Agreement, the Fund uses a revised distribution methodology and improved reporting mechanisms to allow for more effective long term evaluation. The new Tier 1 methodology, agreed with CoSLA Leaders, includes population density and income deprivation to inform funding distribution.
In 2023-24, CWSR was used to deliver:
- 335 new or improved walking or cycling paths
- 84 new or improved crossings
- 61 works around schools
- 60 road safety measures
- 56 contributions to staff costs
- 22 monitoring and evaluation projects
- 20 other (including mobile applications, pool bikes, Active Travel hubs etc.)
| Year | Investment | New & upgraded infrastructure length | Projects supported | Partners supported | Average project cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | £35 million | Not available. See note 1 for details. | 600+ interventions | 32 LAs | £252k |
Note 1: Fund reporting requirements did not include project lengths. This information will be available from 2024-25 onwards.
Case Study: South West City Way Extension (Glasgow)
This project extended an existing route (the South West City Way) along St Andrews Drive. The project included measures to make pedestrian and cyclist travel safer, and features a 2.2km long bi-directional, segregated cycle lane along St Andrews Drive from Shields Road to Dumbreck Road. It also included junction improvements where St Andrews Drive intersects with other nearby streets to include pedestrian facilities, refuge islands, surfacing, kerb realignment and traffic signals. The project has created a high quality, fully segregated route from Glasgow city centre to Pollok Park and the Burrell Collection, and utilised CWSR funding over two years, spanning 2022-23 to 2023-24.
