Thursday February 5th 2026
Edinburgh Road, Bathgate will see major changes including the replacement of traffic islands with proper crossings and the introduction of cycle lanes.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Councillors have backed plans to change the road layout through one of West Lothian’s busiest towns.
A dedicated cycle track will be added to Edinburgh Road in Bathgate as part of the major refurbishment of the main through road.
The work is expected to begin this summer and local SNP councillor Pauline Stafford said the new cycle lane and refurbished road would make a “huge difference” to the town.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service first revealed proposals for the redesign in June last year when roads engineers told the local area committee of the plans.
Graeme Burton, Design Engineering Manager, explained to a meeting of the Executive that the works will bring the installation of cycle lanes running from Guildiehaugh roundabout to the King Street car park.
This work will also include partial resurfacing, but the bulk of the costs, around £950,000, will be met from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel funding.
The road will be redesigned with existing traffic islands removed and replaced with crossings as well as changes to waiting and loading times. Councillors backed the start of statutory consultation on the plans.
Mr Burton’s report detailed: “This order will redetermine part of the south side of the carriageway to a segregated two-way cycle track.
“This will allow cyclists an off-road facility, providing a safer cycling route whilst maintaining the footways for pedestrian use. The cycle track will be two metres wide and have a half metre kerbed ‘buffer’ separation from other vehicles, in accordance with current design guidelines. “
In his report to councillors Mr Burton said:Traffic modelling analysis and further consultation with affected frontages was undertaken at the Bathgate railway station signalised junction area to develop a design solution that would fulfil the project brief whilst also maintaining the north side parking bays and the dedicated right turning lane into the railway station.
“Officers are also aware of the current condition of the carriageway and sections of footway on Edinburgh Road and King Street and it is the intention to carry out resurfacing in conjunction with the cycle track project.”
Local councillors, including Labour’s Harry Cartmill have long complained about the state of the road- the major east- west route through Bathgate.
Councillor Stafford told the meeting: “I’m delighted to see this coming forward. It’s been a while in the pipeline and the condition of the road has deteriorated quite considerably so I’m really pleased to see that both jobs are going to be done at the same time to minimise any disruption.”
She added: “I think this will make a huge difference and I think it’s important to point out Transport Scotland funding is ring-fenced for this so it’s not putting any additional strain on local budgets.”
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