West Lothian to receive over £600,000 from the Spaces for People programme

The £10 million Spaces for People programme, offers funding and support to Local Authorities to make it safer for people who choose to walk, cycle or wheel for essential trips and exercise during Covid-19.

West Lothian Council sought £600,000 funding for nine packages of projects and initiatives that are designed to improve social distancing.

The council is already working on scheme development and hope to start seeing some of the projects on the ground over the next month.

Prior to submitting its funding application, the council engaged with members of the community with an online Spaces for People survey receiving a fantastic response with over 470 people taking part.

The results of the survey indicated 89.7% of respondents were supportive of the introduction of temporary social distancing and road reallocation measures for essential trips and exercise during Covid-19.

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: "As a result of the quick work of council officers and the input we received from through our community engagement exercise we have been successful in securing a significant award."

"Many of the projects to be introduced will see reduced speed limits on both or urban and rural roads as well as increased footway space at restricted footways and bus stops."

"Work has already commenced behind the scenes and we look forward to seeing the positive benefits that each project will bring to their local community upon completion."

Karen McGregor, Director of Sustrans Scotland, said: "It's clear that people across Scotland want to do the right thing during Coronavirus. They want to look after their physical and mental health.

"They also want to make sure that they are keeping to physical distancing guidelines while still being safe on our streets.

"Providing funding support to West Lothian Council through our Spaces for People programme will make it easier and safer for people to travel around West Lothian for essential travel and exercise."

Details of the council's submission can be found below:

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