West Lothian Council bases the casualty reduction schemes using recorded accident data to analyse accidents which are formally recorded by Police Scotland. Investigations are then carried out before proposals for the council's casualty reduction programme is produced and prioritised. This is combined with the availability of funding to implement the schemes.
The schemes prioritised for this year to maximise the council's investment.
The five casualty reduction schemes are:
- A704 from A71 to A706: Improve surface friction and road markings.
- A706 from boundary to Linlithgow: Improve surface friction, signing and lining improvements.
- A803 junction with the M9 Linlithgow: Sign alterations, road marking and coloured surfacing improvements.
- B8084 South Street, Armadale: Pedestrian refuge near Bowling Green Rad and improved road markings.
- A71 from West Calder to South Lanarkshire Council boundary:Central hatching to reduce carriageway with through rural sections and a 50mph speed limit throughout rural sections.
The Council Executive was today also informed that new traffic signals will also be installed at the A801 at the junction with A706 at the top of the Avon Gorge. This casualty reduction project has had additional funding approved by Transport Scotland and should be delivered this financial year (before the end March 2024).
Tom Conn, Executive councillor for the environment said:
"This investment is put in place to reduce accidents and protect people. However I think motorists that use these roads will appreciate that these works will bring safety improvements. It's important that when we introduce road safety measures they are installed in locations where they have the biggest impact in terms of accident prevention. The evidence highlights that these are areas that will benefit."
