An urgent call for cash to prop up the ailing charity behind the proposed new Perth bridge will not affect the project, it has been confirmed.
The swingeing cuts in funding forced by the economic crisis have hit sustainable transport charity Sustrans to the extent that its chief executive issued an email shot warning of a “dire need” for money.
Sustrans is behind the controversial Connect2 bridge project which could eventually see Perth and Scone linked by a series of new cycle paths, including a foot and cycle bridge from the North Inch to Isla Road.
Malcolm Shepherd wrote to supporters, “I wouldn’t contact you unless there was a dire need…but Sustrans is entering its toughest times to date and we need help.
“Cycling England will soon disappear, having, for many years, allocated funding for large elements of our work with children and communities.
“Funding cuts mean that public services across the UK are in a vulnerable position. For us, this means that match-funded projects near you are at risk or have already been cancelled.
“If our shared interests slip off the agenda, millions of us could face more congestion, more pollution and poorer health. And the simple pleasure of safely walking or cycling for local journeys could become out of reach for the next generation.”
Sustrans has appealed for £20 donations to help it through troubled times, warning that planned sections of the cycle network might be shelved as council match-funding dries up, children’s cycling and walking projects and safe routes to schools are at risk, as are active travel projects with community groups across the UK.
Mr Shepherd said, “Thousands of us are happily travelling more actively, benefiting from Sustrans’ National Cycle Network and our practical, community-focused work.
“Our low-carbon travel projects work, yet many now hang in the balance. For this reason we are launching a special appeal for 2011, to ask for donations to help keep our work on track.
“We’ve got great value ideas. We’ve got tried and tested answers to local problems like congestion. We’ve got route and bridge-building expertise. But without donations we simply won’t have the funds.”
The £2.6 million Perth bridge project made possible after a public vote secured lottery funding got a boost earlier this month when a wrangle over its siting on Capability Scotland-owned land was resolved. Backers will welcome news the general funding crisis will not further delay the project, which must be complete by 2013.
A spokesman for Sustrans said, “The email is a general fund-raising email to all of our supporters across the UK, so isn’t project specific.
“The current economic situation is having an impact on councils across the UK and Cycling England has been cut.
“As a charity we use financial appeals to help raise money for all of our work right across the country. However, it doesn’t mean that specific projects are at threat due to funding cuts and supporters in Perth should rest assured that this email doesn’t mean the Connect project in Perth is suffering from match-funding issues.”