Latest news with #LawrenceFitzpatrick
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
West Lothian village bus protesters want return of service after 'year of isolation'
Elderly and infirm villagers who rely on buses have been cut off from public transport for more than a year. One told a meeting of the council's Executive: ' We have bus passes, but no buses.' Hopes are rising that people in Livingston Village will see a return of bus services after more than a year of isolation in the heart of the new town. Elderly and infirm villagers who rely on buses have been cut off from public transport for more than a year. One told a meeting of the council's Executive: ' We have bus passes, but no buses.' Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick told a deputation of villagers that talks with a commercial operator were at an ' advanced stage'. Laura Bell, from local action group, told councillors: 'The population in the village is predominantly elderly and we feel unable to walk to the health centre, the hospital, the shopping centre. There are no buses.' She added that many had to rely on neighbours for lifts or on visits from family to be able to get out. A care home in the village is having difficulty recruiting staff because there are no buses. Mrs Bell said a trip to 'health care facilities or shops are a 20 to 30 minute walk in all weathers.' For some the walk can take up to an hour. Councillors heard that one resident had spent £14 on a taxi fare to pick up a prescription for her husband and trips to the Livingston's shopping centre were as expensive by cab. 'We need urgent action to restore this lifeline service to the village, said Mrs Bell. The meeting heard that residents with mobility problems had a half mile walk to reach bus stops at either end of the village. Around 20 percent of residents are elderly or disabled. There is a dial a bus facility which operates on a Tuesday but the pick up time of 09:30 makes it difficult to access for those who rely on carers. There hasn't been a service through the village in more than a year. A protest of about 50 villagers took place in late February and the campaigners won the support of local MP Gregor Poynton. The campaigners suggested re-routing the 72 service, so that one an hour comes through the village. Councillor Fitzpatrick told the deputation: 'I have a great deal of sympathy with any community that feels that they are deprived of a bus service that meets their needs. 'Councils do not have any authority over the commercial market or operations, nor do we have a role in regulating the commercial bus network, which represents around 80% of bus journeys in West Lothian. The Transport Act 1985 deregulated bus services in the UK, moving from council-run buses to an open commercial market. 'Provided a commercial operator registers a service with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner they can operate any route they wish, to any timetable. 'The council has maintained the budget available to help subsidise some bus services locally but that budget is limited and can only go so far. These subsidised services were designed to complement the commercial network and provide vital links to communities otherwise not served with public transport. 'We'd love to help subsidise more services but, over the past fifteen years, our levels of funding have been significantly reduced. No additional money has been received, or offered, by either the UK or Scottish Government to fund more subsidised bus services in West Lothian, so the council does the best it can to help. However councils are not able to solve the issues within the commercial bus network, overall. 'That said, council officers have been working with the commercial operators for several months and I have been advised this morning that a commercial operator is in the advanced planning stage to enhance the commercial bus service in Livingston Village. I hope that is welcomed by local residents.' Local councillor Andrew Miller said: 'I'm delighted that the hard work of the local people in Livingston Village has encouraged both council and bus operators to look for a solution. 'They spoke excellently at the council meeting and are a credit to the Village. I look forward to seeing the bus service hinted at by the council, this community really does need and deserve a bus service.'
Edinburgh Reporter
a day ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian bus campaigners want return of service
Hopes are rising that people in Livingston Village will see a return of bus services after more than a year of isolation in the heart of the new town. Elderly and infirm villagers who rely on buses have been cut off from public transport for more than a year. One told a meeting of the council's Executive: 'We have bus passes, but no buses.' Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick told a deputation of villagers that talks with a commercial operator were at an 'advanced stage'. Laura Bell, from local action group, told councillors: 'The population in the village is predominantly elderly and we feel unable to walk to the health centre, the hospital, the shopping centre. There are no buses.' She added that many had to rely on neighbours for lifts or on visits from family to be able to get out. A care home in the village is having difficulty recruiting staff because there are no buses. Mrs Bell said a trip to 'health care facilities or shops are a 20-to-30-minute walk in all weathers.' For some the walk can take up to an hour. Councillors heard that one resident had spent £14 on a taxi fare to pick up a prescription for her husband and trips to the Livingston's shopping centre were as expensive by cab. 'We need urgent action to restore this lifeline service to the village, said Mrs Bell. The meeting heard that residents with mobility problems had a half mile walk to reach bus stops at either end of the village. Around 20 percent of residents are elderly or disabled. There is a dial a bus facility which operates on a Tuesday but the pick-up time of 09:30 makes it difficult to access for those who rely on carers. There hasn't been a service through the village in more than a year. A protest of about 50 villagers took place in late February and the campaigners won the support of local MP Gregor Poynton. The campaigners suggested re-routing the 72 service, so that one an hour comes through the village. Councillor Fitzpatrick told the deputation: ' I have a great deal of sympathy with any community that feels that they are deprived of a bus service that meets their needs. 'Councils do not have any authority over the commercial market or operations, nor do we have a role in regulating the commercial bus network, which represents around 80% of bus journeys in West Lothian. The Transport Act 1985 deregulated bus services in the UK, moving from council-run buses to an open commercial market. 'Provided a commercial operator registers a service with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner they can operate any route they wish, to any timetable. 'The council has maintained the budget available to help subsidise some bus services locally, but that budget is limited and can only go so far. These subsidised services were designed to complement the commercial network and provide vital links to communities otherwise not served with public transport. 'We'd love to help subsidise more services but, over the past fifteen years, our levels of funding have been significantly reduced. No additional money has been received, or offered, by either the UK or Scottish Government to fund more subsidised bus services in West Lothian, so the council does the best it can to help. However, councils are not able to solve the issues within the commercial bus network, overall. 'That said, council officers have been working with the commercial operators for several months and I have been advised this morning that a commercial operator is in the advanced planning stage to enhance the commercial bus service in Livingston Village. I hope that is welcomed by local residents.' Local councillor Andrew Miller said: 'I'm delighted that the hard work of the local people in Livingston Village has encouraged both council and bus operators to look for a solution. 'They spoke excellently at the council meeting and are a credit to the Village. I look forward to seeing the bus service hinted at by the council, this community really does need and deserve a bus service.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian village bus protesters want return of service after 'year of isolation'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Hopes are rising that people in Livingston Village will see a return of bus services after more than a year of isolation in the heart of the new town. Elderly and infirm villagers who rely on buses have been cut off from public transport for more than a year. One told a meeting of the council's Executive: ' We have bus passes, but no buses.' Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick told a deputation of villagers that talks with a commercial operator were at an ' advanced stage'. Laura Bell, from local action group, told councillors: 'The population in the village is predominantly elderly and we feel unable to walk to the health centre, the hospital, the shopping centre. There are no buses.' She added that many had to rely on neighbours for lifts or on visits from family to be able to get out. A care home in the village is having difficulty recruiting staff because there are no buses. Mrs Bell said a trip to 'health care facilities or shops are a 20 to 30 minute walk in all weathers.' For some the walk can take up to an hour. Councillors heard that one resident had spent £14 on a taxi fare to pick up a prescription for her husband and trips to the Livingston's shopping centre were as expensive by cab. 'We need urgent action to restore this lifeline service to the village," said Mrs Bell. The meeting heard that residents with mobility problems had a half mile walk to reach bus stops at either end of the village. Around 20 percent of residents are elderly or disabled. There is a dial a bus facility which operates on a Tuesday but the pick up time of 09:30 makes it difficult to access for those who rely on carers. There hasn't been a service through the village in more than a year. A protest of about 50 villagers took place in late February and the campaigners won the support of local MP Gregor Poynton. The campaigners suggested re-routing the 72 service, so that one an hour comes through the village. Councillor Fitzpatrick told the deputation: ' I have a great deal of sympathy with any community that feels that they are deprived of a bus service that meets their needs. "Councils do not have any authority over the commercial market or operations, nor do we have a role in regulating the commercial bus network, which represents around 80% of bus journeys in West Lothian. The Transport Act 1985 deregulated bus services in the UK, moving from council-run buses to an open commercial market. 'Provided a commercial operator registers a service with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner they can operate any route they wish, to any timetable. 'The council has maintained the budget available to help subsidise some bus services locally but that budget is limited and can only go so far. These subsidised services were designed to complement the commercial network and provide vital links to communities otherwise not served with public transport. 'We'd love to help subsidise more services but, over the past fifteen years, our levels of funding have been significantly reduced. No additional money has been received, or offered, by either the UK or Scottish Government to fund more subsidised bus services in West Lothian, so the council does the best it can to help. However councils are not able to solve the issues within the commercial bus network, overall. 'That said, council officers have been working with the commercial operators for several months and I have been advised this morning that a commercial operator is in the advanced planning stage to enhance the commercial bus service in Livingston Village. I hope that is welcomed by local residents.' Local councillor Andrew Miller said: 'I'm delighted that the hard work of the local people in Livingston Village has encouraged both council and bus operators to look for a solution. 'They spoke excellently at the council meeting and are a credit to the Village. I look forward to seeing the bus service hinted at by the council, this community really does need and deserve a bus service.'
Scotsman
20-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
West Lothian could see another 12.500 new homes by 2038
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes – including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. Wet Lothian could see another 12,500 homesby 2038 Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038, but planners raised that to more than 12,000 , having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers would be 'watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to 'get things right' in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers. I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper, council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; ' We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Planning officers stressed that the evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The finalised Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.'
Edinburgh Reporter
19-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes – including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038, but planners raised that to more than 12,000 having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers 'would be watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to 'get things right' in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers and I really wanted to say extend my thanks for the time that they have provided me with in the last couple of weeks so that I understood the process and am a lot clearer about what is going happen going forward. 'I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process. 'As long as we all keep working together, we'll be able to get there with the best outcome for West Lothian so thank you very much.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; 'We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Planning officers stressed that the Evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The final Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.' The latest information on LDP2 can be accessed via the West Lothian Council website: By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
