Seventeen new pedestrian crossings will seemingly be put in later this 12 months round West Lothian however a college the place youngsters are thought of in danger just isn't included.
No crossings will likely be round Peel Major in Livingston the place mother and father and the neighborhood council have raised a petition of 400 signatures asking for them.
With a timing that infuriated councillors and neighborhood representatives, council officers introduced proposals to ship the brand new crossings only a week after Eliburn Group Council chair Steve Egan appeared earlier than a gathering of the council govt to make a case for crossings on the faculty in northern Livingston.
The brand new crossings agreed yesterday cowl all wards of the council space - besides Livingston North. They had been on a listing first drawn up in late 2020.
Pandemic restrictions meant that roads officers couldn't study the websites till a 12 months later and the suggestions, which went earlier than the surroundings coverage growth and scrutiny panel (PDSP) this week are primarily based on investigations held final October.
Ultimate settlement should be made by the council govt, however design engineering supervisor Ronnie Fisher instructed the panel that he anticipated work to begin on the 17 crossings later this 12 months.
Talking ultimately week’s govt assembly Mr Egan mentioned: “In August I requested for a highway security audit and nothing ever materialised.”
He added that the petition had been drawn up after a close to miss outdoors the college. He was vital of poor signage outdoors the college and instructed that the dad or mum trainer council and neighborhood council had been ready to make a bid for funding from City Centre funds to pay for the set up of crossings.
The neighborhood had already secured cash by means of the City Centre Enchancment Fund to have pavements constructed across the faculty two years in the past. However since then nothing has been achieved to make the stroll to highschool safer for kids or mother and father, and lots of depend on utilizing their automobiles.
Council chief Lawrence Fitzpatrick instructed that Peel be added to the listing of faculties being examined as a part of the evaluation of highway security following the Areas for Folks survey,with a report to come back again to the council on June 22. Mr Egan accepted this.
Nonetheless, on the assembly of the PDSP this week councillor Alison Adamson referred to as for Peel to be given precedence given the dangers to youngsters from a number of close to misses.
She mentioned: “The petition was introduced final week they usually had been instructed one thing might or not occur when a evaluation takes place in June.
“Yesterday a toddler was taken to hospital following an incident outdoors this faculty and a household of 4 had a close to miss. The police have been suggested. What might be achieved to ascertain an pressing evaluation when youngsters are at nice threat outdoors their faculties?”
Mr Fisher mentioned: “Sadly I don’t have the main points concerning the petition so I can not touch upon how that’s being taken ahead. Actually I can take a look at it. I can even get again to you on the highway security audit situation.”
Councillor Adamson requested if cash may very well be directed to the Peel proposal including: “I’m begging that this one will get some consideration.”
Chairing the assembly Councillor Tom Conn mentioned: “ This council chief has directed that this location be investigated. I don’t suppose the PDSP can direct cash.We have to await that evaluation to happen.”
Councillor Adamson replied that Mr Egan had particularly been instructed that the realm wouldn't be given precedence however can be checked out with all different faculty websites.
She added: “ This specific crossing had been reported earlier than the assessments on the websites introduced on this paper immediately and for no matter motive it by no means obtained included. Each single ward has obtained some type of crossing and Livingston North is getting nothing. It has been famous.”
Councillor Conn mentioned the officers may solely do an evaluation having put the data collectively. He mentioned that he sympathised with councillor Adamson’s enchantment for precedence however instructed that every one functions had been thought of a precedence by the candidates and requested which of the others ought to be put apart.
The 17 websites which have been permitted for crossings are:
A89 Junction of Newhouses Street, Broxburn; Church Road, Addiewell; Calder Park Street, Mid Calder; Decrease Bathville at Mayfield Drive, Armadale; Preston Street, Linlithgow; Principal Road, Mid Calder; Simpson Parkway, Kirkton South Street, Livingston; B8084 South Road, Armadale; Hardhill Street, Bathgate; Market Road, Mid Calder; A705, Pink Mill Nursing Dwelling, Whitburn; B8084, North Road, Armadale; Murieston West Street, Livingston; Kirkton South Street, Livingston; A705, East Principal Road, Blackburn; Springfield Street, Linlithgow; Decrease Bathville at Heatherfield Stroll, Armadale.
A report back to the panel mentioned: “Session will likely be carried out with ward members, the local people and related events in the course of the detailed design stage. The approval of the programme will permit the implementation of the really helpful new pedestrian crossing amenities and can help the targets of encouraging biking, strolling and enhancing security for weak highway customers”
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