Drive to halt accidents
NEW traffic calming measures are to be put in place in a busy town centre following concerns over road safety.
According to an investigation into road casualty accidents by the council, the accident rate in Bathgate's South Bridge Street and King Street on the A89 was 756 per cent higher than the national average for an A class road.
One problem area is at North Bridge Street which turns on to South Bridge Street at the Regal Theatre.
The council said there has been "several" accidents involving cars turning right into a "no right turn" into North Bridge Street heading west which has caused collisions.
There will also be increased traffic on that stretch of road in future years once the new partnership centre, which will house the community centre, library and council services, opens up.
Bathgate Community Council chairman Ronnie McLeod said: "The junction (at the Regal] has been a bone of contention for some time. The junction definitely needs looked at.
"One of the main concerns we have is the timescale for this. There is going to be work on a new roundabout for the new Morrisons store (on Whitburn Road] and work is about to start on a replacement bridge on Glasgow Road. We don't want too many roadworks in the town at the one time."
West Lothian Council's transportation team is holding a second drop-in evening tonight to allow the public to view its proposals.
They include a raised junction in Whitburn Road – similar to the one at the Academy Street junction in Mid Street – at the foot of the Steelyard, and a raised pelican crossing in King Street outside the Engine Room pub.
There are three options for the junction of North and South Bridge Street, with a raised junction, traffic signals and a roundabout all under consideration.
The public meeting is tonight at the Regal Theatre, from 5pm to 7:30pm.
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Weather for Bathgate
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
