Almost £11 million in external funding has been secured for transport improvements across the Highlands following a year of investment in roads, public transport and active travel.
Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee backed the continued programme on Thursday 20 August after hearing about work delivered during 2025 and 2026 and projects now being taken forward.
The funding is supporting low carbon transport infrastructure, walking, wheeling and cycling networks, road safety improvements and public transport initiatives across the region.
Councillors also heard about progress towards Scotland’s target of reducing road casualties by 2030, alongside continued investment in safer road infrastructure.
The programme is being coordinated by the Council’s Integrated Transport Team, which brings together work covering active travel, public transport and road safety.
Future projects are expected to include further walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, improvements to bus networks, mobility hubs, community transport partnerships and ferry services.
Support for air connectivity also forms part of the wider programme.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“This report demonstrates the real difference that strong partnership working can make for communities across the Highlands.
“By working closely with other agencies, community transport operators, local stakeholders and funding partners, we have been able to secure significant investment and deliver meaningful improvements that make it easier, safer and more sustainable for people to travel.
“The creation of the new Integrated Transport Team has brought together expertise from across transport disciplines and is helping to deliver a joined-up approach to active travel, public transport and road safety.
“This is important work that supports our communities, strengthens connectivity, improves accessibility and helps us meet our climate ambitions.
“What is particularly encouraging is that this is not just about what has already been achieved.
“There is a substantial programme of work now underway and planned for the future, with projects spanning walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, road safety upgrades, bus network improvements, mobility hubs, ferry services and continued support for air connectivity spread across the Highlands.”
The scale and geography of the Highlands mean transport improvements can have consequences far beyond simply making individual journeys quicker or easier.
Reliable connections affect access to employment, education and essential services, while community transport can be particularly important in rural areas where alternatives are limited.
The Council’s work will continue under priorities contained within the Highland Local Transport Strategy 2025 to 2035.
Committee members agreed all recommendations in the report, allowing the programme of active travel, public transport and road safety projects to continue across the region.
