Visitors is about to be utterly blocked from a pedestrian buying precinct after years of issues with unlawful parking and accidents.
A public session course of into the problems on the Bathgate George Avenue space was agreed by West Lothian Council’s Govt this month following a report by the Roads Community Supervisor.
The proposals have been backed by native police, who usually “blitz” the world issuing parking tickets, and by native councillors who usually hear complaints.
Labour’s Harry Cartmill, who drove down a pre-pedestrianised George Avenue as a part of his driving check within the early Eighties, mentioned there was broad help for the protection measures.
He informed the Native Democracy Reporting Service that whereas some thought it was time re-open the road, pedestrianised within the Eighties, he was not so positive.
“I’ve obtained many complaints from constituents about heavy autos accessing this pedestrian space throughout buying hours and additional complaints about unlawful parking outdoors the meals retailers on the Steelyard space situated on the backside on the east facet of the precinct.
“My view of the stopping up measures authorized by the Govt is broad help. Our effectively used precinct will now be a bit safer for all buying and for individuals having fun with being out and about in Bathgate city centre.”
In a report back to the Govt, Roads Community Supervisor Gordon Brown mentioned the junction of George Avenue and George Place was highlighted by the council’s Accident Investigation Programme as a web site of concern based mostly on the accidents recorded there.
He added: “George Avenue pedestrian precinct presently has a pedestrian zone prohibition for no autos apart from loading on Monday to Saturday 6am to 10am.
“The AIP programme highlighted 5 accidents which had been all slight. Two accidents concerned pedestrians and three accidents concerned proper turns. Additional data highlighted that sadly it's usually witnessed that motorists ignore the present authorized prohibition inflicting enforcement points for Police Scotland.”
The prevailing car prohibition and loading restrictions on the north finish of George Avenue at North Bridge Avenue will stay unchanged.
The statutory course of will enable a chance for any formal objections to be raised. Any unresolved objections will likely be introduced again to the Govt for consideration.
Councillor Cartmill mentioned: “The brand new seating, planters and knowledge boards have significantly enhanced our city centre setting and even on Autumn mornings these seating areas are effectively used.
“A view typically expressed to me, particularly by enterprise house owners, is that pedestrianisation has had its day and it’s time to reopen George Avenue to visitors once more.Some really feel that this may assist enhance city centre buying, personally I've my doubts that any important enhance in commerce would really occur consequently.”
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