Bog Burn Bathgate
A project to enhance the environment around the Bathgate Water (known locally as the Bog Burn) has been signed off by West Lothian Council's Bathgate Local Area Committee.
The project will restore the burn - which flows through the heart of Bathgate and has been heavily degraded over the years. Large sections are also hidden from view and inaccessible to the community.
The overall Bathgate Water Regeneration Project is located between a 144 hectare Wester Inch housing development and the town centre, and between Blackburn Road and Glasgow Road. The area has been impacted over the years by industries that have come and gone; from mining and ironworks, and finally truck manufacturing.
The vision for the project is to work with local people to create a large, high quality, accessible and wildlife rich nature park on former industrial land, regenerating the rivers that run through the town, creating new direct connections between Blackburn, Wester Inch and the historic town centre and its transport hubs.
It is hoped that this will inject new life into the town centre and provide natural space where wildlife can prosper and people can enjoy.
The funding comes via the Scottish Government's Water Environment Fund and the Places for Everyone fund through Sustrans Scotland. Additional funding support is being sought from National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A partnership group has been created under the RiverLife project that includes council representatives, SEPA, Sustrans Scotland, Forth Rivers Trust and Green Action Trust. The council will take the lead on the project with partners providing financial support and expert knowledge.
