Over £3 million in European funds has been awarded to low carbon travel projects in Scotland, including a transport hub in Perth which will deliver a solar canopy and battery storage with electric vehicle charging stations.
A total of five organisations, predominantly local authorities, are set to receive £3.25 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to develop active travel or low carbon transport hubs.
Perth and Kinross Council will use its share to build the Broxden Low Carbon Transport Hub at a key strategic site on the outskirts of Perth. The aim of the project is to broaden the range of refuelling facilities and transport modes available and to provide sustainable travel options to local residents, businesses and visitors to the region.
The project includes the introduction of a hydrogen refuelling station and the expansion of existing electric vehicle charge points. It will also introduce an ultra-rapid (150kW) EV charge point and upgrade the electricity sub-station for ultra-rapid charging.
A solar PV canopy integrated with a battery storage system to hold on-site generated energy will be developed to support the EV charging stations.
Similar travel hubs are to be built in Aberdeen, North Ayrshire, Dundee and Falkirk where the council, alongside its delivery partner Forth Environment Link, will deliver a low carbon vehicle hub at Falkirk Community Stadium. The project will provide 20 electric vehicle charging bays and a 168-bay solar array to harness energy for charging at the low carbon hub.
Announcing the funding awards on Thursday Humza Yousaf, minister for transport and the Islands, said: “The ERDF Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund provides a fantastic opportunity to help individuals, communities and our population benefit from sustainable and greener travel options.
“I am delighted that five projects will benefit from ERDF funding to deliver active travel and low carbon transport hubs.
The ERDF Low Carbon Travel and Transport (LCTT) Challenge Fund was launched in December last year. Open to public, third and community sector organisations, it is aimed at supporting the development of active travel and low carbon transport hubs.
It will enable Transport Scotland to act on one of its aims to increase the proportion of ultra-low emission vehicles on Scotland’s roads
Matthew Eastwood, head of Transport Scotland at Energy Saving Trust, said: “Projects such as these can play an important role in supporting the Scottish Government’s aims of reducing transport carbon emissions, improving air quality and encouraging healthy and active travel. We look forward to supporting the successful organisations as the projects progress.”
