West Lothian Council has approved its new Active Travel Plan for 2024-2029.
Following unanimous support from elected members of the Council Executive on Tuesday 22 October 2024, West Lothian's newly refreshed Active Travel Plan is now available.
Approved Active Travel Plan 2024-2029
West Lothian Council plans to provide more opportunities for active travel by connecting people to the places they wish to go, delivering infrastructure and a culture that enables walking, wheeling, and cycling to be more popular choices for short, everyday journeys. This Plan is a single component of what will need to be a collaborative effort with local communities, community organisations, other public sector partners, and other branches across the Council.
Members of the public and stakeholders were also invited to provide feedback on their travel habits, their thoughts on active travel, and their feedback on the existing active travel network in West Lothian. Feedback was gathered through an online active travel survey and an online interactive map hosted via Placecheck in May and June 2023. In total, 973 responses were collected (643 survey responses and 330 Placecheck observations) and can be found below. A second consultation activity in 2024 sought stakeholder feedback on the draft report.
Active travel is primarily defined as making journeys by walking, cycling and scooting. It can also include horse-riding (and even running and non-motorised water-based transport.) It is an approach to travel and transport that focuses on physical activity as opposed to motorised means.
Measures include improved walking and cycling opportunities, working with bus operators to enhance public transport, expanding the network of Park and Ride facilities and expanding the network of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points. Through these actions, the Council will contribute to the national target of reducing vehicle kilometres by 20% (by 2030).
Active travel infrastructure projects being developed
There are also a number of projects being developed for delivery in the future:
Whitburn Road, Bathgate Pedestrian Improvements - Widening of a footway and improved crossing facilities, in particular creating a safer environment for children to cycle/walk to St Mary's RC Primary School
Wester Inch to Whitehill Industrial Estate - Design is at an advanced stage to provide an off road cyclepath link between the housing area at Wester Inch and Whitehill Industrial Estate. The creation of a cyclepath link will provide a direct connection between the two areas and help to encourage active travel movement between them
Whitburn Town Walk Improvements- Phase 2 and 3 - Design is at an advanced stage to improve the off-road path running through Whitburn linking housing areas to schools and other amenities. A consultation exercise is about to commence
Pedestrian/Cycle Crossings Various Locations - 12 sites have been identified for improved crossing facilities including toucan and puffin crossings. Consideration was given for the need for improved facilities for those groups who experience the most difficulties. Once installed these facilities will improve accessibility and vulnerable users and support active travel
B7066 Heartlands to Whitdale Roundabout and Whitdale Roundabout Connections, Whitburn - The two remaining sections to be delivered that will provide local and strategic active travel routes through West Lothian from North Lanarkshire to Edinburgh
Edinburgh Road, Guildyhaugh to Bathgate Railway Station - Design is at an advanced stage to provide a segregated cycleway linking into Bathgate Railway Station and town centre.
Our earlier Active Travel Plan for 2016-2021 laid the foundation for promoting sustainable, safe, and accessible active travel options to link people to places across West Lothian. However, it is not just about physical connections, it is also a framework for mainstreaming active travel in West Lothian.
Building on these initiatives, our new Plan for 2024-2029 aims to expand on these efforts further for safer routes, accessible pathways, and improved connectivity for enhanced active travel networks
The previous Active Travel Plan is available here: -
Active travel infrastructure projects delivered over the past 5 years
Cappers Bridge, Armadale - Pedestrian/Cyclist Facilities, completed in June 2018- The provision of a safe crossing over cappers bridge for pedestrians and cyclists to Southdale Primary School
Whitburn Town Walk form Polkemmet Road - Phase 1, completed in June 2018 - Improvement of the off-road path running through Whitburn linking housing areas to schools and other amenities
Murieston Rd to Murieston East Rd, Livingston. - Footway Provision, completed in August 2018 - The provision of a footway connecting the residential area in Murieston to Livingston South Railway Station
B7010 Fauldhouse to Longridge Cyclepath, completed in October 2018 - The provision of an off road cyclepath connecting the two communities
B7066 Greenrigg to Heartlands Cyclepath, completed in February 2019 - Provision of a cyclepath between the two communities and create an active travel corridor along the A89 with links to Armadale, Armadale Railway Station, Whitburn. Bathgate, Livingston, Broxburn, Uphall and Uphall Railway Station
Whitburn Road to Inchcross Industrial Estate Footway Provision, completed in May 2021 - Provision of a footway from the residential area in Bathgate to the employment area at Inchcross Industrial Estate
B8084 Whitburn to Armadale Railway Station Cyclepath, completed in June 2021 - Provision of an off-road cyclepath between the two communities and connection to Armadale Railway Station
Whitdale Roundabout to Boghead Roundabout, completed in November 2022 - Provision of a section of cyclepath to create an active travel corridor along the A89 with links to Armadale, Armadale Railway Station, Whitburn. Bathgate, Livingston, Broxburn, Uphall and Uphall Railway Station.
West Lothian Council is undergoing a refresh of their Active Travel Plan. The West Lothian Active Travel Plan is a framework for mainstreaming active travel in West Lothian, helping create a culture where individuals have a choice about how they travel.
