The Scottish Government published ‘Lets make Scotland more active’ in 2003 this document began to address the development of physical activity strategies at a local level. It recognized the importance of increasing the amount of physical activity of people in Scotland as well as the key role councils can play in this. Through initiatives such as safer routes to schools, walks for health and increasing individual’s access to recreational activity councils can work directly to increase the amount of physical activity taken by individuals.

For example, in Aberdeenshire Council, the Safer Routes to Schools initiative is designed to increase the amount of physical activity taken by school children by reducing the use of cars for short journeys. This initiatives has been supported throughout the transport strategy by the following objectives
 Promotion of road safety and measures to reduce accidents.
 Provision of street lighting resulting in a safe urban environment
 Supporting community projects such as creating walks, trails, activities, facilities and events leading to healthier lifestyles.

In this way transport policies can play a positive role in increasing physical activity as well as meeting key objectives. For example, encouraging people to walk or cycle to work rather than take their car not only improves health and well-being but will also reduce congestion thereby contributing to improving the environment. Guidance is available for all those involved in encouraging active travel through Sustrans briefing paper: Creating an environment for encouraging active travel

Councils can also work indirectly to influence environmental factors which can encourage physical activity for example planning can have a major impact on encouraging physical activity. The quality of the built environment as well as the physical environment can have a major impact on physical and mental health and well-being. For example, Greenspace have conducted studies which suggest protecting and improving open and green spaces not only contributes to enhancing the environment and the quality of life, it also means that people are more likely to take physical activity.

Local authorities can also play a key role in encouraging the basic physical activity of walking, through ensuring that the street environment – lighting, state of pavements and paths and the provision of cycle paths – encourages people to walk or cycle to work and for pleasure.

New guidance has just been produced and published by Health Scotland on Developing a Physical Activity Strategy in Scottish Local Authorities. This guidance outlines why, when and how local authorities can develop their physical activity strategies as well as providing examples of how this is being done currently in local authority areas, to support future plan development.

The following documents give examples of current local government physical activity strategies

For more information on Developing a Physical Activity Strategy in Scottish Local Authorities please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Health Improvement Programme Manager: Physical Activity