A DUTCH-INSPIRED cycle route linking regeneration work along the Forth and Clyde Canal with one of the country's most famous thoroughfares has been shortlisted for an award of millions of pounds.

The pioneering 'Woodside Mini-Holland' scheme in the north and west of Glasgow would connect the regeneration work at Port Dundas and the massive overhaul of the Sighthill area with the city centre.

Crucially it would connect with Sauchiehall Street, which will soon undergo work to transform it into a tree-lined avenue, with the hope it will boost economic regeneration and increase the attractiveness of the wider area.

It is one of five schemes awarded up to £40,000 of Scottish Government money to complete detailed proposals and present to a panel, headed by Transport Scotland.

A bike lift similar to schemes operating in Trondheim in Norway and which would pull cyclists up The Mound in Edinburgh and another linking Roseburn with Edinburgh Park and the Gyle on the western edge of the capital are also in the running.

Stirling's proposals involve a route north from the city centre to Stirling Bridge, linking the Raploch, Cornton and Causewayhead areas with Bridge of Allan and the University of Stirling.

The Highland Council's plans also involve creating a Dutch style infrastructure to encourage walking and more cyclists, promoting health, reducing congestion, creating and enlivening streets and public spaces.

Run by Sustrans and funded by the Government, the competition aims to deliver "pioneering and game-changing projects which inspire public bodies in Scotland to design better places and spaces for people to live, walk and cycle in for everyday journeys".

Last year’s winning entry, Glasgow City Council’s ‘South City Way’, will run from Queens Park in the Southside in to the heart of the Merchant City. Hailed by Sustrans as Scotland's “most ambitious street improvement project”, it was awarded £3,250,000 of funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans, with the investment match-funded by the city council.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am pleased to see that local authorities have again put forward very ambitious projects which will help to create a step change in conditions for walking, cycling and place making that communities can all benefit from.

“These kinds of place making projects are part of our long-term vision for active travel and also our recently published Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, which reiterates our commitment to maintain current levels of funding for the remainder of this Parliament.”

Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Woodside Mini Holland bid is more than just segregated cycle routes and to reach the third stage in this competition is very promising. This project has the potential to transform the area through improved pedestrian and cycling access, increased cycle parking facilities for residents, schools and businesses, along with public realm improvements.

“The council’s continued investment in infrastructure - from safe, segregated cycle routes, expansion of the city’s cycle hire scheme, to traffic calming and 20mph limits - will bring the city’s spending on cycle initiatives to some £20million over recent years.

“Our plans for Woodside Mini Holland, if successful, will help get a lot more people out and about whether on bike or foot - and that’s what we want to see.”

Daisy Narayanan, deputy director for built environment at Sustrans Scotland said: “We are absolutely delighted with the extremely high quality of entries to our Community Links PLUS design competition. These proposals are exemplary in their understanding of the need to improve our streets for the well-being of everyone.

"Critically, local authorities across Scotland have shown they are keen to enable access for pedestrians and cyclists of all abilities. The country is embracing the health and economic benefits of a modal shift in how we design our streets and roads.”