West Lothian Council has announced a plan to invest £83.7 million throughout 2022/23 to support the delivery of essential services.

An updated Asset Management Strategy and General Services Capital Programme up to 2027/28 has been approved, which will see a total investment of over £223 million over the next six years.

£62.6 million will be invested in property during 2022/23, the majority being spent improving West Lothian's school estate to ensure it remains one of the best in the country.

Further investment included £9.8 million on roads and £6.1 million on open spaces, as well as £5.2 million on information and communication technology, with the majority of investment in schools.

Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: "It's essential that we have the right facilities and equipment in place to allow our dedicated staff to deliver the essential services that people, and our children, rely on.

"This ambitious capital budget will see us invest our limited resources wisely to achieve the maximum benefits for local residents.

"The majority of our investment remains in school and education, providing a high-quality school estate as a platform for learning across early years, primary, secondary and additional support needs.

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"With one of the best school estates in the country, which has added to rising attainment by pupils. We hope this approach will benefit West Lothian for generations to come."

The investment in property includes the completion of the £62 million project to deliver three brand new schools, two secondary and one primary, in the core development area of Winchburgh.

The £26.5 million investment programme in schools dedicated to supporting pupils with additional support needs is one of the most ambitious in Scotland, with the brand new £7.5 Cedarbank school in Livingston and the £5.8 extension for Pinewood in Blackburn opening and construction starting on the £14.7 million replacement for Beatlie Campus in Livingston.

Extensions are also planned for primary schools including St Paul's in East Calder, Livingston Village, Pumpherston and Uphall Station to meet growing demand, along with a wide range of planned improvements including new roofs, new windows and electrical and mechanical upgrades.

Significant refurbishments are planned for a number of schools including Deans Primary in Livingston, Eastertoun Primary in Armadale, St Joseph's Primary in Whitburn and Woodlands Nursery in Livingston.

Other major capital investments by the council include: roof replacement work at Whitburn Community Centre and the Lanthorn Community Centre in Livingston; the Cawburn Complex Care Development in Pumpherston and a proposed new Single Person Homeless Accommodation and Assessment Centre.

The council's properties are the best in Scotland for condition, demonstrating the benefits of a strategic approach to capital investment and asset management.

West Lothian also has one of the best maintained road networks in Scotland, thanks to continuing prudent investment.

This year's investment programme includes significant upgrade projects on: the A89 between Dechmont and the Kilpunt Roundabout; B9080 and U18 in Winchburgh; Edinburgh Road and Standhill Road in Bathgate; Eldrick Avenue and Crescent in Fauldhouse; Gleneagles Court in Whitburn; Northfield Crescent and Terrace in Longridge; and Station Road in Armadale.

The council also plans to spend during 2022/23: £3.5 million to improve recycling; £2.2 million for open spaces and sports facilities; £1.5 million to maintain bridges; £1.6 million for town centres and £429,000 for children's play areas.