Thanks to everyone who gave their views in our recent Spaces for People on-line survey, which was open between 15 May and 22 May.
It received a fantastic response with over 470 people taking part and 89.7% supportive of the introduction of temporary social distancing and road reallocation measures for essential trips and exercise during Covid-19.
A bid has been submitted to SUSTRANS for funding from Spaces for People programme, which is looking at bids which provide temporary walking and cycling infrastructure that helps to protect public health; and focus on essential journeys such as to hospitals, health services, shops, pharmacies and areas used for exercise.
West Lothian projects include: promotion of reduced speed limits to make it safer for walking and cycling; targeting footway pinch points to increase footway widths to improve physical distancing; temporary wide cycle lanes on public roads with a suitable width; and social distancing measure at bus stops.
Executive councillor for the environment Tom Conn said: "Thanks to everyone who took part in the survey, with close to 500 returns from people in West Lothian putting forward ideas for improving their local environment
"It's fantastic to see so many people engaging in discussing what changes can be made to our roads and footways to help people maintain a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. The impact of coronavirus means many of us are driving less and walking and cycling more, which changes the way we use our local spaces.
"We hope the bid submitted will be well received by SUSTRANS and if successful it will allow us to trial some exciting packages of projects across West Lothian. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to take all the projects put forward at this, with a number of ideas kept for consideration for a future date."
The council expects to hear back on its bid submission from SUSTRANS within the next few weeks.
Spaces for People - Bid Submission details
Package 1 - Localised footway widening at pinch points/parking suspension
- Oliphants Bakery, High Street, Linlithgow
- Tesco Express, East Main Street, East Calder
- Opposite Smithy Brae, Kirknewton
- Bank Street and Main Street, Mid Calder
- A71 north side shops, West Calder
- Back Station Road, Linlithgow
- Station Road, Kirknewton (incl. footway and cycleway widening)
Package 2 - Loaning Parking and on street parking suspension
- East Loanings, between St. Michael's Wynd and the 4 Mary's Pub, and West Loanings, between Lion Well Wynd and New Well Wynd, Linlithgow
- Opposite Mill Road, on West Main Street, Armadale
Package 3 - Introduction of walker / cycle friendly zones on rural roads (reduced speed limits to 40mph)
- Bathgate Hills (includes Linlithgow, Broxburn, Uphall, Ecclesmachan, Dechmont, Bridgend)
- Faucheldean area (included limited traffic calming)
- Niddry Road area, Winchburgh
- Harburn area (includes West Calder, Harburn, Brucefield)
- Bonnytoun Farm Road, at Oracle, Linlithgow
Package 4 - Advisory/temporary cycle lanes
- East Main Street (Kilpunt roundabout westwards), Broxburn
- Edinburgh Road & St.Ninian's Road, Linlithgow
- Advisory cycle lanes on distributor roads, Livingston
- Advisory cycle lanes, Blackridge
Package 5 - Introduce temporary 20mph areas within towns and villages
- All urban and rural towns
Package 6 - Introduce temporary physical distancing signage
- Six urban towns
- Twenty-four rural towns
- Livingston
- Bus stop locations in West Lothian
Package 7 - Strategic clearance works to widen footpaths and cycle tracks
- Clearance work on the strategic network including NCR75 and other areas to improve accessibility and ensure safety
- Nellburn Path - Lochshot, Livingston
Package 8 - Public Transport - physical distancing measures at bus stops
- Layby bus stops, Linlithgow (4no.)
- South Bridge Street outside St David's House, Bathgate (1no.)
- King Street, stops at old train station, Bathgate (3no.)
- East Main Street outside Scotmid, Broxburn (1no.)
- Eastbound at the CIS Centre, Whitburn Cross (1no.)
- Outside the Post Office, West Calder (1no.)
- Tesco Distribution Centre A89, rural Bathgate (1no.)
- Main Street in Kirknewton (1no.)
Package 9 - Introduce pedestrian phases at controlled crossing points
Installing a permanent (24/7) pedestrian phase to controlled pedestrian crossing points to prevent individuals touching existing push buttons at :
- Armadale Cross
- Whitburn Cross
- North/South Bridge in Bathgate
- A89/Whitburn Road junction in Bathgate
- Bathgate Academy/A89 junction
- Greendykes Road/A899 junction in Broxburn
- Almondvale Avenue in Livingston
