West Lothian Council is set to invest nearly £5.2 million in its Open Space assets during the 2025/26 financial year. This significant funding is part of the council's broader General Services Capital Investment Programme, which will see over £24 million allocated to local Open Space and Sports assets between 2025/26 and 2033.

The comprehensive investment programme aims to enhance and maintain West Lothian's green spaces, recreational facilities, and public amenities. Key projects planned for 2025/26 include ongoing efforts to combat ash dieback disease, the implementation of new public art initiatives, and various repairs to essential sports and leisure facilities.

Highlights of the 2025/26 investment include:

• Open Space and Sports Facilities (£3.2 million): This substantial portion of the budget will fund continued works related to ash dieback disease, focusing on the removal of infected or dead trees to ensure public safety, particularly along road networks and in high-occupancy areas. Additionally, public art projects will proceed, alongside repairs to numerous ball courts, skate parks, and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs). Twelve parks across West Lothian are scheduled for repairs in 2025/26, including Springfield Park in Linlithgow, Blaeberryhill Park in Whitburn, and Blackridge Park in Blackridge. These improvements are designed to ensure the parks remain fit for purpose and continue to meet the needs of West Lothian residents.

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• Children's Play Areas (Specific Projects + £500,000 allocation): Five specific projects have been identified for 2025/26, with a primary focus on replacing expired play equipment and play safety surfaces. These include sites at Westrigg in Blackridge, Stoneyburn Main Street, and Dixon Road in Whitburn. At Craigtoun Play Area in Winchburgh and Kirknewton play area, officers will also aim to incorporate accessibility and inclusive play elements to improve the user experience. A further £500,000 has been allocated for investment across the eight district parks within West Lothian, ensuring their ongoing functionality.

• Cemeteries (£384,000): A dedicated investment of £384,000 is programmed for 2025/26 to support the maintenance of West Lothian's cemeteries. This will cover essential footpath and road maintenance, upkeep of general cemetery infrastructure, and critical headstone stability and headstone strip foundation work.

This continued investment underscores West Lothian Council's commitment to providing high-quality, safe, and accessible open spaces and sports facilities for its communities.