West Lothian Council is set to approve a long-term capital investment plan that will see £201 million invested in local infrastructure and council-owned properties between 2025/26 and 2032/33. The plan will be presented to the Full Council next week, February 25, 2025. 

Capital funding, which is separate from day-to-day operating costs, is used for upgrading and repairing existing infrastructure and building new assets. This funding comes from Scottish Government grants, the sale of council assets, borrowing, and other project-specific sources.

In the upcoming year (2025/26), approximately £61 million will be invested, following £68 million spent in 2024/25. The £61 million will be allocated as follows:

• £48.8 million+ on property improvements, new projects, and maintenance 

• £6 million+ on roads, footways, street lighting, bridges, flood prevention, and drainage 

• £3.5 million+ on open spaces, parks, sports facilities, children's play areas, and cemeteries 

-- Advertisement --

• £2.6 million on Information Communication Technology (ICT) 

Property Investment Highlights:

• £25 million for school projects, including major works at St Kentigern's Academy, Craigshill, and East Calder Primary. 

• £15 million+ in developer-funded school projects in areas like Winchburgh, Calderwood, and Bangour, including a significant extension at West Calder High School. 

• £2.8 million for buildings at Whitrigg House and Homeless Accommodation.

• £1.3 million for school building improvements, including boiler upgrades and roof replacements.

• Further investment in Partnership Centres.

Open Space and Sports Facility Investment Highlights:

• £1 million+ for children's play areas, including refurbishments of eight district parks and other play areas.

• £1.8 million for projects including Boghall Skatepark, a multi-use games area at Watson Park, and tree/woodland management. 

• £234,000 for scheduled repairs at nine parks. 

• £200,000 for cemeteries in 2025/26, part of a £3.2 million eight-year investment.

£22.9 million total investment in open spaces and sports facilities between now and 2032/33. 

ICT Investment Highlights:

• £2.6 million+ for ICT assets, including nearly £1.5 million for school laptops, desktops, and smartboards. 

Roads and Infrastructure Investment Highlights:

• £2.2 million for A, B, and C class road improvements.

• £1.3 million for road projects, including casualty reduction schemes, traffic signal improvements, and active travel schemes.

• £1.2 million for structures like bridges, including the Almond Valley Bridge and Houston Interchange. 

• £980,000 for street lighting improvements.

• £326,000 for flood prevention schemes.