With the Glasgow COP26 conference providing a global focus on climate action, active travel in East Dunbartonshire was given a £1million boost last night (Thursday 4 November) when the Council agreed to allocate an additional £1 million to improve pavements, enhance rural footpaths and cycle ways and to address flooding issues in the area.
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody explained, “Investment to improve the condition of our pavements, rural footpaths and cycle ways is essential to being able to promote active travel and more sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling – key elements of our climate action plan.
“Active travel and sustainable transport are important elements in our move to zero carbon emissions. Equally important as we emerge from the pandemic and people are beginning to leave their homes more, it will ensure that our paths and pavements are safe for everyone to use and especially our older residents and those with mobility issues.”
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson added, “In addition to pavements and paths, extreme flooding events have become more frequent throughout the area in recent years, as a result of recurring severe weather – a further concerning issue resulting from climate change.
“Flooding can have a devastating impact on those affected with damage to their homes and property, so part of this additional capital funding will also be used to invest in flood prevention measures and improvements to drainage systems in areas with known flooding issues.”
Pavements, paths and cycle ways in need of investment and areas known to have flooding issues will now be identified and prioritised, with improvement works taking place over the remainder of this financial year and the following financial year. The additional funding will come from current reserves and the 10 year capital investment programme will be updated to reflect this decision.
Additionally, the Council agreed that once it had identified the projects in need of funding within the scope of this agreement, it would write to Scottish Government to seek appropriate funding for these and further infrastructure projects in the area.