Active travel planning and projects
West Lothian Council is currently reviewing its Active Travel Plan 2016-21 and develop a new plan covering the next five years (2024-29). However, the Council continues to deliver a number of infrastructure projects to support everyday walking and cycling journeys.
Draft Active Travel Plan 2024-2029
West Lothian Council plan 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.
What is Active Travel?
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).
West Lothian's Active Travel Plan
This plan aims to link people to places by active travel. However, it is not just about physical connections, it is also a framework for mainstreaming active travel in West Lothian. This can be achieved by creating a culture where active travel becomes the norm for suitable everyday trips. It is therefore crucial that West Lothian Council works successfully with external partners and with local communities and "joins up" policies and projects delivered by different Services and teams across the Council.
The Active Travel Plan is available here: -
- West Lothian Active Travel Plan 2016-21 "Making Active Connections" [2MB]
- Summary West Lothian Active Travel Plan 2016-21 [1MB] - A handy summary guide is also available to share within your communities, workplaces and schools
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.
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.
