The rapid growth of housebuilding and a lack of improvements to infrastructure has left residents new and old in the Armadale and Blackridge area struggling for basics such as GP appointments.
The most western of the West Lothian’s wards, the ward takes in Armadale, Blackridge Torphichen, Westrigg and Westfield.
A largely rural ward, key issues for candidates in the coming council elections have been house building and population growth unmatched by improved infrastructure. The GP practice in Armadale is heavily oversubscribed and there has been no GP practice in Blackridge for more than a year.
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There are limits to how much the built environment of ancient townscapes on traditional east west routes such as Armadale can cope with increasing traffic from building on its boundaries.
Despite promises in 2017, planned investment has not materialised for schools and for road infrastructure. Villagers in the rural hinterland of the ward have campaigned for almost two years for road safety measures to tackle speeding on narrow and poorly defined country roads.
Public transport has also been an issue, with a bus service only restored to Westfield earlier this year.
Sports facilities in Armadale are set to be improved, thanks in no small part to the efforts of local clubs with council support. The Nelson Park football pitches which had at one point been destined for housing, will now become West Lothian’s contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy. Local school children have already begun planting the area with woodlands to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
2017 Result:
Stuart Borrowman, Independent: 45.02% FPv (2,343 total)
Sarah King, SNP: 25.41% FPv ( 1, 322 total)
Andrew McGuire, Labour: 13.89% (1,589 total)
2022 Candidates:
Long term independent and resident, Stuart Borrowman, has solid support in the ward. Andrew McGuire, newly elected in 2017 will hope to solidify the seat for Labour .
The SNP has a new candidate - Sarah King, first elected in 2015 having stepped down. Lynda Kenna, who served as a councillor in neighbouring Falkirk Council will take her place. Married to Fauldhouse SNP candidate Greg McCarra, she lives in Bents, Stoneyburn, and will be looking to hold on to the share of the vote the party had.
The Conservatives hope to build on a tally that only just kept them out of office in 2017
Candidate List:
Stuart Borrowman, Independent;
Sophie Brodie, Scottish Green Party;
John Hannah, Independence for Scotland Party;
Lynda Kenna, Scottish National Party;
Helen Mackenzie, Scottish Liberal Democrats;
Andrew McGuire, Scottish Labour Party;
Chris Terry, Scottish Conservative and Unionists;
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