Latest news with #WestLothianCouncil
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Free shuttle bus service to railway station for commuters in West Lothian development
A new shuttle bus service will launch at the end of the month giving commuters free access to a West Lothian railway station. 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... Stirling Developments, the main developer of the Calderwood Core Development Area housing in East Calder, has reached a deal with West Lothian Council to fund the peak time bus service from Calderwood to Kirknewton railway. station. It comes as the builder seeks a solution to the long running problem of providing a park and ride facility at the station- a condition built into the initial planning consent for the huge housing area. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The free service will provide two return journeys per day at peak times, to help residents access train services starting at 7am from the Calderwood Cafe. The morning buses arrive at Kirknewton station at 07:10 and 07:47. In the afternoon the bus leaves the station at 17:53 and 18:26 Edinburgh Coach Hire will be providing the service, and no advance booking is required. The journey will take approximately 10 minutes and is designed to meet morning and afternoon rush hour trains. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the buses which start on 30 June will be monitored monthly to gauge usage and the service could be adjusted to meet demand. Stirling Developments first trialled commuter buses to Kirknewton in March 2023, six months after proposals for a 50 space park and ride facility on land near the station were knocked back by the council. The most recent park and ride proposals follow three others which had outlined spaces for up to 300 cars on open land sloping northwards from the station which is three miles from Calderwood. Even the much smaller car park attracted 93 objectors who pointed out road safety was already a problem. They had highlighted the narrow rural road, dangerous bends and a badly sited junction and poor pavement space running up to the station which sits next to a level crossing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad All the roads around the Victorian-built station are narrow B or C class rural roads which would require substantial upgrades to accommodate a big daily increase in commuter traffic. Objectors in the past suggested that commuters could drive to Livingston South station, four and half miles west from Calderwood, if they wanted to park at a railway station. There were also suggestions from councillors that Network Rail could make better use of the existing parking at the station, much of which is used by the operator as storage. The timetable for the new service is: Calderwood Cafe 07.00 07.38 Mobility Hub 07.03 07.41 Nethershiel Rd 07.06 07.44 Kirknewton Station 07.10 07.47 Kirknewton Station 17.53 18.26 Nethershiel Rd 17.57 18.30 Mobility Hub 18.00 18.33 Calderwood Cafe 18.03 18.36
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Residents urged to get behind local businesses in West Lothian during Independents Day weekend
The national awareness campaign aims to shine the spotlight on independent businesses and retailers Residents in West Lothian are being encouraged to shop local and back independent retailers and businesses in their own communities. West Lothian Council is supporting Independents Day weekend, which takes place on July 4 and 5. The national awareness campaign aims to shine the spotlight on and support local independent businesses and retailers. Across West Lothian, there are a significant number and diverse range of independent businesses and retailers located within the traditional town centres of Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn and Uphall, Linlithgow, and Whitburn, as well as local villages. Independents account for almost two-thirds of the approximate total of 290,000 retail outlets in the UK and are at the heart of local communities throughout the country. Executive councillor for economy, community empowerment and wealth building, Susan Manion said: 'West Lothian is fortunate to have a huge range of excellent local businesses, so please consider giving them your support this Independents Day weekend. 'Independent business can offer more than a chain or franchise, such as unique products or personal quality of service for customers. 'Any money you spend in an independent business is more likely to stay in West Lothian, so it also helps maintain jobs and boost the local economy. 'Whether it's using a regular local favourite again, or trying a local independent business you've never visited before, please give our wonderful independent businesses your support over the Independent's Day weekend in July.' West Lothian Council offers support to local independent traders and businesses through its shop front improvement grant scheme. The council-funded initiative offers our high street and local businesses the opportunity to apply for one-off grants of up to £750, to assist with external improvements, subject to applications meeting the scheme eligibility and criteria. West Lothian Council's Economic Development service also provides a full range of assistance and support to local businesses and individuals.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Housing developer launches West Lothian shuttle bus to help commuters get to work
Stirling Developments, the main developer of the Calderwood Core Development Area housing, has reached a deal with West Lothian Council to fund the peak time bus service. A new shuttle bus service will launch at the end of the month giving commuters free access to Kirknewton railway station from Calderwood in East Calder. Stirling Developments, the main developer of the Calderwood Core Development Area housing, has reached a deal with West Lothian Council to fund the peak time bus service. It comes as the builder seeks a solution to the long running problem of providing a park and ride facility at the station- a condition built into the initial planning consent for the huge housing area. The free service will provide two return journeys per day at peak times, to help residents access train services starting at 7am from the Calderwood Cafe. The morning buses arrive at Kirknewton station at 07:10 and 07:47. In the afternoon the bus leaves the station at 17:53 and 18:26 Edinburgh Coach Hire will be providing the service, and no advance booking is required. The journey will take approximately 10 minutes and is designed to meet morning and afternoon rush hour trains. A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the buses which start on 30 June will be monitored monthly to gauge usage and the service could be adjusted to meet demand. Stirling Developments first trialled commuter buses to Kirknewton in March 2023 six months after proposals for a 50 space park and ride facility on land near the station were knocked back by the council. The most recent park and ride proposals follow three others which had outlined spaces for up to 300 cars on open land sloping northwards from the station which is three miles from Calderwood. Even the much smaller car park attracted 93 objectors who pointed out road safety was already a problem. They had highlighted the narrow rural road, dangerous bends and a badly sited junction and poor pavement space running up to the station which sits next to a level crossing. All the roads around the Victorian-built station are narrow B or C class rural roads which would require substantial upgrades to accommodate a big daily increase in commuter traffic. Objectors in the past suggested that commuters could drive to Livingston South station, four and half miles west from Calderwood, if they wanted to park at a railway station. There were also suggestions from councillors that Network Rail could make better use of the existing parking at the station, much of which is used by the operator as storage.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Stress 'a major feature' as West Lothian council sickness rate rises
Stress has been highlighted as a major factor in a continued rise in sickness absence at West Lothian Council. More than 1,000 employees were off long term, councillors heard. The services hit most by absence, both long and short term, are Education, Housing, Customer and Building Services and Operational Services. READ MORE: Housing developer launches West Lothian shuttle bus to help commuters get to work READ MORE: Lip reader spots King Charles discussing Prince Harry 'issue' with Queen Camilla The fewest absences were in the Planning , Economic Development and Regeneration team. In a report to the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP committee Claire Wallace, HR Services Manager, said: 'Absence rates for the Council in 2024/25 have seen an increase in comparison to 2023/24. 'Stress continues to be the highest contributor to levels of sickness absence across the council and the focus will continue to be on targeting support at those service areas reporting high levels of stress related absence.' Long term absence accounted for 66% of sick days in Education last year, with 502 employees off for more than four weeks. In Housing, Customer and Building Services the numbers off long term last year were 182 and in Operational Services, which includes waste services, it was 450. The committee heard that mental and behavioural reasons accounted for a third of all days- 43,826- lost to sickness absence last year. Musculoskeletal is the next biggest reason for absences followed by Infection and accident. Following an established pattern personal stress accounted for the largest single number of days lost, followed by work place stress and anxiety. The Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP heard that the council's occupational health service provision is currently out for tender with a provider set to be named in the Autumn. SNP group leader, Councillor Janet Campbell asked : 'In terms of long term sickness rates for stress, both personal and work place, what steps do we take as an employer to support staff who experience these illnesses? Ms Wallace said: 'We have a strategy which looks at the four pillars of well being one of those in mental well being and underneath that pillar there's a ranges of resources available including things such the employee assistance programme which is access to confidential counselling service but also advice on other factors that might be causing the stress such as financial, family or relationship issues. 'In some services we have deployed the Health and Safety Executive's Stress Toolkit to carry out stress audits we did recently in one service and plan to carry it out in others.' Ms Wallace said Human Resources could also signpost staff to mental health support groups. The report to committee detailed: 'Since 1 November 2018, a telephone-based counselling service (Help EAP) has been in operation provided by our occupational health provider, Optima Health. Statistics from the last quarter of 2024/25- January to 1 April this year- show that 57 employees received mental health assessments during this period. Of the 57 assessed, 35 employees were referred for counselling services, four signposted to GP/NHS, one for legal services, two for voluntary/private services and 15 employees were provided onward referral and guidance. Of the 35 employees who were referred for counselling, 17 received structured telephone counselling sessions, 10 provided with video counselling sessions and 8 provided with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The report added: 'Contact reasons indicate that 15% of calls in Quarter 4 were in relation to solely work-related issues, 45% in relation to personal issues only and 38% due to a combination of work and personal related issues." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Stress highlighted as major factor in sickness absence at West Lothian Council
Stress has been highlighted as a major factor in a continued rise in sickness absence at West Lothian Council. More than 1,000 employees were off long term, councillors heard. The services hit most by absence, both long and short term, are Education, Housing, Customer and Building Services and Operational Services. The fewest absences were in the Planning, Economic Development and Regeneration team. In a report to the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP committee Claire Wallace, HR Services Manager, said: 'Absence rates for the Council in 2024/25 have seen an increase in comparison to 2023/24. 'Stress continues to be the highest contributor to levels of sickness absence across the council and the focus will continue to be on targeting support at those service areas reporting high levels of stress related absence.' Long term absence accounted for 66% of sick days in Education last year, with 502 employees off for more than four weeks. In Housing, Customer and Building Services the numbers off long term last year were 182 and in Operational Services, which includes waste services, it was 450. The committee heard that mental and behavioural reasons accounted for a third of all days- 43,826- lost to sickness absence last year. Musculoskeletal is the next biggest reason for absences followed by Infection and accident. Following an established pattern personal stress accounted for the largest single number of days lost, followed by workplace stress and anxiety. The Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP heard that the council's occupational health service provision is currently out for tender with a provider set to be named in the Autumn. SNP group leader, Councillor Janet Campbell asked : 'In terms of long-term sickness rates for stress, both personal and workplace, what steps do we take as an employer to support staff who experience these illnesses? Ms Wallace said: 'We have a strategy which looks at the four pillars of well-being one of those in mental well-being and underneath that pillar there's a ranges of resources available including things such the employee assistance programme which is access to confidential counselling service but also advice on other factors that might be causing the stress such as financial, family or relationship issues. 'In some services we have deployed the Health and Safety Executive's Stress Toolkit to carry out stress audits we did recently in one service and plan to carry it out in others.' Ms Wallace said Human Resources could also signpost staff to mental health support groups. The report to committee detailed: 'Since 1 November 2018, a telephone-based counselling service (Help EAP) has been in operation provided by our occupational health provider, Optima Health. Statistics from the last quarter of 2024/25- January to 1 April this year- show that 57 employees received mental health assessments during this period. Of the 57 assessed, 35 employees were referred for counselling services, four signposted to GP/NHS, one for legal services, two for voluntary/private services and 15 employees were provided onward referral and guidance. Of the 35 employees who were referred for counselling, 17 received structured telephone counselling sessions, 10 provided with video counselling sessions and 8 provided with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The report added: 'Contact reasons indicate that 15% of calls in Quarter 4 were in relation to solely work-related issues, 45% in relation to personal issues only and 38% due to a combination of work and personal related issues.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
