Scottish Budget: Cycling and walking spending £100m short of commitment under SNP-Greens power-sharing deal

Bute House agreement pledged £320m for active travel but only £220m allocated by Finance Secretary Shona Robison

A commitment to increase spending on active travel to £320 million as part of the SNP-Scottish Greens’ power-sharing deal has fallen £100m short in next year’s Scottish Budget.

Instead, it was increased by only £31m on this year’s total. Finance secretary Shona Robison told MSPs on Tuesday that £220m would be allocated in 2024/25 “as we continue increasing our investment in walking, wheeling and cycling”.

However, the Bute House agreement struck between the SNP and Scottish Greens in 2021 included it would “increase the proportion of Transport Scotland’s budget spent on active travel initiatives so that by 2024/25 at least £320m or 10 per cent of the total transport budget will be allocated to active travel”.

Cycling projects under construction include the South City Way in Glasgow. (Photo by Cycling Scotland)

Campaigners said active travel would only account for 5.6 per cent of the transport budget. The Scottish Government insisted the commitment remained, but it would “take a little longer to reach”.

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Active travel minister and Scottish Green Patrick Harvie had said in June the Scottish Government remained “committed” to the Bute Agreement funding pledge. That pledge stated the increased spending was needed as part of a shift from road projects that encouraged more people to drive “in the face of the climate emergency".

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However, in the Scottish Greens’ initial reaction to the Budget, the party simply highlighted the active travel allocation as a “key announcement” and said the “record funding” would deliver “safer, healthier neighbourhoods”. But campaigners Cycling UK described the broken pledge as “disappointing”.

Campaigns and policy manager for Scotland Jim Densham said: "At a time of considerable strain on the public purse, the Scottish Government's Budget provides a welcome and significant boost in funding for projects that will enable people to make local journeys by cycling, walking or wheeling.

“[A total of] £220m is a record investment that shows Scotland is leading the way within the UK, although it falls disappointingly short of the £320m promised at the beginning of this Parliament. We urge the Government to ensure that this target is met in 2025/26.

“Investing in active travel is proven to be excellent value for money. Every £1 spent on cycling and walking schemes provides almost £6 worth of benefits, including improved health and wellbeing, reduced congestion and better air quality.”

Dave du Feu, of Lothian cycle campaign Spokes, said: “It is not difficult to beat England in terms of active travel cash, but the Scottish Government is nonetheless way off its oft-repeated commitment to 10 per cent of transport cash for active travel, only reaching around 5.6 per cent.

"Indeed, the entire transport budget is out of kilter in a climate crisis, with trunk road cash up, the low carbon future transport fund slashed and rail somewhat down too.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our commitment to £320m of investment remains in place, but will take a little longer to reach.

"As well as delivering record amounts of funding, we are also transforming how we deliver on that programme so that every pound makes the difference Scotland needs. That transformation programme continues throughout 2024/25, meaning that it is a transitional year and a further step change to our commitment.”