Plans for a 50 space park and ride facility at Kirknewton station have been rejected - the fourth time the proposal has been knocked back.
Councillors on West Lothian’s Development Management committee could not accept tweaks made to plans after the latest version came before them a month ago. Stirling Developments had worked with the planners to increase the width of the footpath access from the park and ride car park to the station.
But, crucially, nothing could be done with the most dangerous and narrowest 45 metres of pavement, still leaving the footpath as narrow as 1.2m in places. Only 60 metres of pavement could be improved.
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The latest park and ride proposal, already reduced from previous ones which had demanded 300 and 200 plus parking spaces, still attracted 93 objectors who said road safety was already a problem. They had highlighted the narrow rural road climbing steeply up to a broad junction, then to meet a railway level crossing.
At this latest hearing, to specifically debate proposals to improve the pedestrian access, villagers again lined up to stress how a surge in pedestrians and extra traffic in the village would be a recipe for accidents.
One objector described the plan as “ trying to make a square peg fit a round hole.”
He added that the impression villagers had was that the council was determined to approve the park and ride because if they did not it would risk further house building at the Calderwood Core Development, a major house building programme in the neighbouring village of East Calder.
Another objector, Linda Cullen, said proposed planting of hedges with the new development to mask the car park would actually make the footpath more dangerous. She told the meeting: “The proposals don’t address the issues highlighted to the Development Management Committee last time. It adds to the dangers for pedestrians and vehicles.”
Planners had recommended that permission be granted, saying the new proposals met with all conditions including health and safety.
Councillor Willie Boyle moved to reject the plans. He disputed the assertion that the development would have no adverse implications for public safety adding: “from what I am looking at there are serious concerns over health and safety. I can’t in any way shape or form support this.”
Provost Tom Kerr had pushed for the proposals to be continued last month for a solution to be found, but said the proposals were no further forward and he could not be comfortable supporting the plan.
Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “We need a resolution to this because the A71 is a long metal line in the morning. I remain concerned about the very narrow width of the pavement. I don’t think we have a solution today.”
Councillor David Tait, who had made plain his doubts on the plans at the previous committee discussion, reiterated them. Having asked detailed questions of planners and the roads engineer he said: “I certainly can’t support it in its present form.”
And Councillor Tom Conn said the only viable solution for Kirknewton was to expand the existing station car park, owned by Network Rail, onto brownfield land adjacent and to include a small depot yard.
