A footbridge to improve safety at a level crossing described as 'one of the most dangerous in Scotland' should be a priority, councillors have agreed.
The crossing is currently the only way passengers at Kirknewton railway station can access the westbound platform from the station car park, after the station bridge disappeared in the 1970s.
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The station is the only one on the main line without a bridge and councillors have now agreed that should be priority as policies for transport are developed.
Councillor Carl John told a meeting of the West Lothian’s executive: “People have to use the level crossing and many don’t wait. More and more people are using the station and I think we should be looking to have a bridge to link the platforms again - even a footbridge.”
The level crossing at the western end of the platforms at Kirknewton is notorious for both drivers and pedestrians ignoring warning lights. The line itself is busy. According to the ABC Railway Guide 98 trains a day use the line which has a top speed of 95mph.
While there are no recent accident figures, the geography and traffic numbers makes it a greater risk. There are almost 4,000 vehicles and 135 pedestrians a day using the crossing. A lot of HGVs use the narrow road and, coming from the north, the crossing lies on the brow of a steep hill and a bend in the road.
Kirknewton lost its station bridge when the line was electrified in the 1970’s. Other newer stations on the line, which is a now a major commuter line into the capital, have bridges with lifts to access both platforms.
The station has got busier with the introduction of new commuter services and the growing development of the Calderwood housing area in East Calder. There are long term plans too to build larger park and ride facilities to access the station, from the north side - where the station buildings are on the eastbound platform to Edinburgh.
Councillor Tom Conn said: “I think we should be asking for a bridge and a lift.”
He pointed out that ScotRail was in the process of cutting the times most of its stations in Scotland were staffed, and other unmanned stations on the line with lifts and footbridges, including Livingston South are unmanned.
Councillors were asked to approve responses to a consultation being carried out on how public transport should develop across the region between now and 2035 for Sestrans- the regional transport authority. The lengthy consultation document examines all forms of transportation but considers ways to improve the viability and encourage the use of public transport.
West Lothian is well served for commuters going both east and west but the stations face common problems including little in the way of parking especially Kirknewton and Uphall.
Councillor Frank Anderson also suggested that a long distance cycle route mooted to run from West Lothian into the capital should be reinstated in the suggested developments as a priority.
