Parents who have campaigned for the last two years for improvements on a “dangerous” road near a school are celebrating as work starts to make it safer.
Moves to widen the existing footpath at Boghead Bridge to the rear entrance into St Mary’s Primary School in Bathgate are due to start next month.
We had reported previously how the school’s parent council said children are at risk walking alongside the busy road.
The parent council said the path leading along Whitburn Road is high-risk and unsafe for children walking to school.
They have been campaigning for safety improvements for years on the busy section of road and submitted a petition to West Lothian Council to have the pavement widened.
Bathgate councillor Harry Cartmill has backed the campaign from the beginning.
He said parents had worked tirelessly to push for the area to be made safer not just for children, but people using the nearby health centre.
He said : “Firstly I’m glad that at last this essential crossing is being constructed.
“I pay tribute to the Parent Council Members of both St Mary’s Primary School and Windyknowe Primary School who campaigned tirelessly on the safety of pupils and those using our GP Practice for an essential path widening exercise and a further crossing.
“So many people in Bathgate have been deeply inconvenienced by the constant roadworks on Whitburn Road much of this caused by council officers, who ignored evidence from these Parent Council Members , the GP Surgery Practice managers and many local people and controversially granting permission for the drive through Starbucks Coffee Shop in a location totally unsuited to such a business .
“Whilst I very much welcome all new businesses to Bathgate the siting of Starbucks here is a source of constant complaint to me on both road safety and congestion issues from so many constituents .
“I can only hope the path widening and new crossing will at least go some way in alleviating safety fears and congestion.
“I hope our school pupils walking to both Windyknowe and St Mary’s Primary School are now feeling a bit safer and for everyone else the roadworks debacle on Whitburn Road blighting the travel of so many here in Bathgate will at last end.”
The project will involve sections of new footpaths being created, the relocation of the existing pelican crossing to the north of the Starbucks entrance, the installation of a new toucan crossing on the south side of Boghead Bridge to Morrisons and existing cycle path, the installation of a raised table into the rear access to St Mary’s and the installation of two new crossing point islands on the carriageway.
Executive councillor for environment and sustainability, Tom Conn said: “This is a significant project and investment in our local infrastructure.
“The works form part of the council’s Active Travel Programme and council officers are currently working in partnership with design consultants Aecom and Sustrans on this project to increase the width of the footpath and improve the crossing facilities.
“The overall goal is to provide a wider footway, improved crossing facilities and a safer environment for all users.”
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