Scottish islands secure sustainable transport funding

Energy Saving Trust today announces the two successful applicants for the £270,000 Islands Green Recovery Programme: Sustainable Transport Fund. Funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Energy Saving Trust, the fund forms part of the £2 million Islands Green Recovery Programme / Prògram Ath-Shlànachaidh Uaine nan Eilean (IGRP) and aims to deliver investment in active and low carbon transport projects in island communities, and support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first successful applicant, Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay, is a local charity that seeks to promote the long-term social, economic and environmental prosperity of the islands of Barra and Vatersay. The project’s objectives are to deliver low carbon community transport, including the introduction of an electric minibus. It will also facilitate active travel through measures such as the installation of a bus bike rack and support the expansion of the island’s sustainable transport network through the development of the Castlebay mobility hub. This will result in investment in low carbon transport infrastructure, including a rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint and ebike charging and the provision of training to upskill local mechanics in EV maintenance.

The second successful applicant is the Isle of Kerrera Development Trust. This local charity aims to promote islanders’ views and develop projects that improve the life of Kerrera’s 68 full-time residents. The fund will be used to establish two ebike schemes, one for community members and another for tourists. These initiatives aim to help people to increase their physical activity, improve their mental wellbeing and reduce their reliance on carbon-intensive car journeys, through greater access to cycling.

Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The Islands Green Recovery Programme: Sustainable Transport Fund will play a key role in supporting the social, economic and environmental recovery of island communities from the coronavirus pandemic. These local initiatives are a brilliant example of how communities can invest in measures to provide easier access to active travel and low carbon transport options. We look forward to working with the successful applicants as they work to improve the local environment and wellbeing of island residents and visitors alike”.

Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Islands Green Recovery Programme: Sustainable Transport Fund will enable the communities of Barra and Vatersay to deliver low-carbon approaches to community transport which will improve the provision, reliability and flexibility of sustainable and active transport. The fund is also supporting the Isle of Kerrera to develop a pilot Island Bike Hire scheme to encourage greater use of active travel. We know being environmentally responsible and mitigating the effects of climate change can be more expensive for people living on our islands. This investment will help to reduce that financial burden.

“All four strands of the £2 million Islands Green Recovery Programme will fund projects that help our island communities to thrive, contribute to our work on repopulation and create jobs. In line with the commitments set out in the National Islands Plan, projects will also support and enhance health and wellbeing as well as the development of local supply chains and the associated economic output that comes with this.”

View full details of awarded projects.

ENDS

For further information, contact media@est.org.uk

Image available on request.

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