Parent power praised as work to make road safer for kids set to start

23.01.2023 - 18:37 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Parents who have campaigned for the last two years for improvements on a “dangerous” road near a school are celebrating as work starts to make it safer.

Moves to widen the existing footpath at Boghead Bridge to the rear entrance into St Mary’s Primary School in Bathgate are due to start next month.

We had reported previously how the school’s parent council said children are at risk walking alongside the busy road.

The parent council said the path leading along Whitburn Road is high-risk and unsafe for children walking to school.

They have been campaigning for safety improvements for years on the busy section of road and submitted a petition to West Lothian Council to have the pavement widened.

Bathgate councillor Harry Cartmill has backed the campaign from the beginning.

He said parents had worked tirelessly to push for the area to be made safer not just for children, but people using the nearby health centre.

He said : “Firstly I’m glad that at last this essential crossing is being constructed.

“I pay tribute to the Parent Council Members of both St Mary’s Primary School and Windyknowe Primary School who campaigned tirelessly on the safety of pupils and those using our GP Practice for an essential path widening exercise and a further crossing.

“So many people in Bathgate have been deeply inconvenienced by the constant roadworks on Whitburn Road much of this caused by council officers, who ignored evidence from these Parent Council Members , the GP Surgery Practice managers and many local people and controversially granting permission for the drive through Starbucks Coffee Shop in a location totally unsuited to such a business .

“Whilst I very much welcome all new businesses to Bathgate the siting of Starbucks here is a source of