Bidding for government money for motorway improvements is a “vanity project” according to the SNP opposition on West Lothian Council.
The council’s Executive approved a bid to the national Levelling- up fund launched by the Westminster government.
Councillor Carl John disputed the an £8m plan for sliproads on junction 3 of theM9 would have little benefit to nearby Linlithgow.
Councillor John said: “I was unimpressed with the recommendation that the council would bid for all-ways sliproads at Junction 3 of the M9 and associated improvement works on Linlithgow High Street costing £8 million. This is an unnecessary and unwanted scheme, which will neither improve Linlithgow High Street nor improve journeys to or from Edinburgh.”
He added: “It contradicts the community led findings in ‘Linlithgow, A Plan For The Future’, which the Linlithgow community have spent considerable time and expertise drafting. Considering, that the council has already taken developer contributions towards this precise project, it seems more like a vanity project to open up the Linlithgow area to more house building than a transport initiative.”
Linlithgow councillor, Tom Conn disputed this, saying that Linlithgow would welcome this kind of development which would improve the quality of the main street through the town.
Depute SNP group leader, Councillor Frank Anderson suggested that the council should bid for Westminster funds to widen the A71 to dual carriageway. His amendment to include this as a future committment was supported by fellow ward councillor, Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson, but voted down by the Executive.
Councillor Anderson said later: ‘I was absolutely astounded at the lack of vision, ambition and political leadership from the Labour Group. I am not sure if they have a vow to oppose everything the SNP propose or they are unable to think strategically what is best for West Lothian.
He added: “Here was an opportunity to potentially fulfil a long running promise to alleviate the issues on one of West Lothian’s main arterial routes between our county and Edinburgh. This is an area which has seen, and continues to see, a massive increase in house buildings and new families. This was a first-class opportunity to look to upgrade this main route, include a bus and cycle lane and make the route a safer road to travel. The SNP Group will continue to pursue opportunities to upgrade this road to dual carriageway.”
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