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Schemes for local cycling and renewable energy projects launched.
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| £1m for local
cycling projects A further £1 million has been ear-marked to support local cycling projects Transport Minister John Spellar announced. Local authorities, charities and cycling organisations have been invited to submit bids for the money, which is the second round of the Department for Transport Cycling Projects Fund and follows the first round which gave grants of £2 million last year. John Spellar said: "I am delighted to make this money available for schemes which will increase the amount we cycle. I believe it offers real opportunities to develop interesting local projects that would not usually receive funding from Central Government. "An increase in cycling will not be achieved by the actions of Central and Local Government alone. Cycling organisations, voluntary groups and the private sector all need to play their parts and this initiative is designed to assist grass-roots action by these groups." In the first bidding round 138 bids received funding. The successful schemes included secure bicycle parking, provision of cycle routes and facilities for cyclists including lockers and showers. The Department for Transport launched a £2m Cycling Projects Fund to support the growth in local provision for cycling in March last year. Due to the number and quality of the bids received, the Department more than doubled the amount of funding made available in the first bidding window. The Department received over 550 applications in the first round and is currently funding 138 projects costing £2.18m. This announcement launches the second and last round of the fund with a further £1m available to bidders. The second round of the fund is being organised on similar lines to round one. Grants are available within a lower limit of £250 and an upper limit of £50,000 to projects with guaranteed matched funding, of 20% for charitable groups and 50% for others. Bidders will need to satisfy the Department that they can spend all their grant by March 2004. The fund is open to any project, such as cycle parking, cycle routes and cycle training, that could be expected to achieve an increase in cycling. All bids must be received by 31 March 2003 and the Department hopes to announce the winners in June. Copies of the application form, conditions and the criteria against which applications will be assessed are now available from the Department for Transport Charging and Local Transport Division, Zone 3/23 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DR or by email to cyclingprojects.fund@dft.gsi.gov.uk More information: www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/ www.dft.gov.uk
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£10m for renewable
energy iniciatives A £10m campaign to encourage homeowners, schools and communities across the UK to take the initiative in developing and installing their own renewable energy schemes was announced by Energy Minister Brian Wilson. Application forms are expected to be available from mid February. The 'Clear Skies' initiative is a vital component of the Government's renewables strategy to capture the imagination of individuals and local communities that want to play their part in the renewables revolution. The Scottish Executive is putting up £3.7million to fund its own parallel scheme, with shared website and criteria. Suggestions for local projects could include: - A 'solar street' where water
heating panels are fitted to the roof - A small-scale hydropower project in a school; - Installing a wind turbine to provide electricity to a hospital; - Using energy crops, such as willow
or poplar, to provide heat for "There is huge potential, for instance, in the encouragement of small wind generation - proven technology for which there is a worldwide requirement." The capital grants programme will be supplemented with measures designed to increase the uptake of renewable energy technologies and create a better understanding of the range of benefits they can deliver. The initiative will provide training and accreditation for professional installers to ensure that the general public can trust the products being installed. Brian Wilson added: "Many UK homes are poorly insulated with heat escaping straight out of roofs and windows, leading to more expensive fuel bills for consumers and higher emissions. This is why the 'Clear Skies' campaign also promotes energy efficiency." More information: www.clear-skies.org Clear Skies hotline: 0870 2430930 www.solarpvgrants.co.uk. www.dti.gov.uk |