Traffic is set to be completely blocked from a pedestrian shopping precinct after years of problems with illegal parking and accidents.
A public consultation process into the issues at the Bathgate's George Street area was agreed by West Lothian Council’s Executive this month following a report by the Roads Network Manager.
The proposals have been backed by local police, who regularly “blitz” the area issuing parking tickets, and by local councillors who regularly hear complaints.
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Labour’s Harry Cartmill, who drove down a pre-pedestrianised George Street as part of his driving test in the early 1980s, said there was broad support for the safety measures.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that while some thought it was time re-open the street, pedestrianised in the 1980s, he was not so sure.
“I've received many complaints from constituents about heavy vehicles accessing this pedestrian area during shopping hours and further complaints about illegal parking outside the food outlets at the Steelyard area located at the bottom on the east side of the precinct.
“My view of the stopping up measures approved by the Executive is broad support. Our well used precinct will now be a little safer for all shopping and for people enjoying being out and about in Bathgate town centre.”
In a report to the Executive, Roads Network Manager Gordon Brown said the junction of George Street and George Place was highlighted by the council’s Accident Investigation Programme as a site of concern based on the accidents recorded there.
He added: “George Street pedestrian precinct currently has a pedestrian zone prohibition for no vehicles except for loading on Monday to Saturday 6am to 10am.
“The AIP programme highlighted five accidents which were all slight. Two accidents involved pedestrians and three accidents involved right turns. Further information highlighted that unfortunately it is regularly witnessed that motorists ignore the current legal prohibition causing enforcement issues for Police Scotland.”
The existing vehicle prohibition and loading restrictions at the north end of George Street at North Bridge Street will remain unchanged.
The statutory process will allow an opportunity for any formal objections to be raised. Any unresolved objections will be brought back to the Executive for consideration.
Councillor Cartmill said: “The new seating, planters and information boards have greatly enhanced our town centre environment and even on Autumn mornings these seating areas are well used.
“A view sometimes expressed to me, especially by business owners, is that pedestrianisation has had its day and it's time to reopen George Street to traffic again . Some feel that this would help increase town centre shopping, personally I have my doubts that any significant increase in trade would actually happen as a result.”
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