Funding of £413,000 has been allocated for improvements to West Lothian's traditional town centres.

Town centres Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn/Uphall, Linlithgow and Whitburn will each be allocated £50,000 to enable them to continue to develop local projects.

The balance of the funds £163,000 will be allocated on the basis of competitive bids.

Town centre teams, including business and community partners will have until the end of May to develop projects and submit their funding bids for consideration.

West Lothian Council Leader Peter Johnston commented: "The continuation of funding to develop and promote our traditional town centres, which are important to the heritage and economy of West Lothian, is a significant new initiative.

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"Already there have been a significant number of projects implemented which are designed to promote local enterprise, encourage growth and improve amenities in a sustainable way. We know that each town is at a different stage in terms of agreeing frameworks for future development and in light of these differences it is considered sensible to review the existing agreed mechanism for funding for the forthcoming financial year."

The public realm design guide has now been completed for Bathgate. Broxburn/Uphall and Armadale are preparing design guides which will be reported to the Council Executive this summer.

It is proposed that a similar model will be developed for Linlithgow taking account of the historic importance of the town. The approach to be followed in Whitburn is the subject of discussions with local members and community groups.

Linlithgow, Bathgate and Broxburn/Uphall also have active town centre management groups in place, which act as a platform for discussion and consultation on town centre projects.

(GK/JM)