If there is one subject which has crammed the inbox for councillors in Bathgate it’s speed, or rather speed restrictions.
The ward covers Bathgate and Boghall.
Bathgate has seen big industrial losses within the last generation as this ward like neighbouring Whitburn moves away from heavy and light industry. Wester Inch, which was home to vast manufacturing sites such as Leyland, are now new housing areas.
READ MORE: West Lothian families ready to open their homes to Ukraine war refugees
Housing remains a big issue. There is pressure on the town’s boundaries as builders want to move onto greenbelt sites. In town there is demand for new areas for social housing.
But it's the roads and infrastructure, once again, which cause problems. The introduction of Spaces for People measures during the pandemic caused widespread confusion and anger among drivers as 20 mph speed limits were installed and bus stops extended out into road carriageways causing traffic snarl ups in the centre of town. These are set to be removed later this year.
Current issues concerning councillors have included ongoing parking issues in the busy town centre and the increase in commuter traffic using the railway station.
The town, the second largest in West Lothian, has also felt short-changed by the lack of funding available through national schemes such as Town Centre Fund regeneration.
While the town centre remains healthier than many in terms of business turnover and occupancy there are also worries about maintaining a diversity of businesses to keep it popular.
Who won last time?
2017 Results:
William Hannah Boyle, SNP: 20.20% FPv (1,554 total)
Harry Cartmill, Labour: 21.41% FPv (1,646 total)
John McGinty, Labour: 14.98% FPv ( 1,597 total)
Charles Kennedy, Conservative: 17.93% FPv (1,574 total).
Who can I vote for this time?
Long term councillor and former Labour group leader John McGinty has retired and Tony Pearson will be aiming to fill his shoes. The SNP has hopeful Pauline Stafford aiming to join experienced colleague Willie Boyle on the SNP side of the chamber. Conservative Charles Kennedy will be looking to consolidate the seat he claimed in 2017.
Candidate list:
William Hannah Boyle, Scottish National Party;
Harry Cartmill, Scottish Labour Party;
Gordon Dent, Alba Party for Independence;
Siobhan Flannigan, Scottish Green Party;
Charles Kennedy, Scottish Conservative and Unionists;
John Swanson Mackenzie, Scottish Liberal Democrats;
Tony Pearson, Scottish Labour Party;
Pauline Stafford, Scottish National Party.
