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Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Winchburgh station plans lodged with council
The first view of how Winchburgh's new station could look has been released as plans have been lodged with West Lothian Council. The move comes a day after the council agreed that subject to approval tomorrow (Friday), council officers will now progress a case for funding for the project through the City Region Deal. It comes ten months after the council signed up to be a co-promoter of the station alongside Winchburgh Developments Ltd and more than a decade since a re-opened station was agreed for the rapidly expanding community. A spokesperson confirmed that an update will be taken back to a future meeting of the council's Executive. Looking north over the site earmarked for the new railway station and 100 space car park at the heart of the growing Winchburgh. Copyright West Lothian Council The station could be operational by the end of the decade taking huge pressure off neighbouring communities including Linlithgow and Uphall which deal with the bulk of commuter traffic on the line at the moment. The plans are likely to be decided on matters specified which means the principle of the station has already been accepted; only details have to be agreed. Transport Scotland told the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this week that it would fund the fit out of any new station. However, councillors have called for the Scottish Government to commit to fund the station which could cost £22.5m. The council will seek funding through the City Region Deal, a mechanism that unites six surrounding local authorities with private industry and universities to source UK and Scottish government investment in infrastructure. The council's report confirms that both the Outline Business Case and station design are complete which allows progress to be made with a funding bid for the station. The Outline Business Case identifies the positive benefits of a new railway station at Winchburgh on the Edinburgh – Falkirk High – Glasgow railway line. The proposed design will incorporate a 100-space car park with space for future expansion. A report to the council last week detailed: 'An additional stop at Winchburgh has already been incorporated within the timetable for the Edinburgh – Dunblane service and this has no timetabling impacts on the Edinburgh- Falkirk High – Glasgow timetable.' 'Modelling of the station forecasts around 625 passengers boarding per day at Winchburgh in 2030, increasing to 768 in 2045. 'In the morning peak hour there will be around 80 passengers travelling towards Edinburgh and an estimated 50 towards Stirling. This will equate to an increase of around 10% in rail usage on the Stirling to Edinburgh rail service. 'Winchburgh passenger demand is forecast to grow by around 20% between 2030-45. There is likely to be a 20-25% reduction in bus patronage when the station opens but this loss will be recovered as the housing development is built out.' As a comparison of passenger usage at neighbouring railway stations shows Linlithgow has 1,400 passengers a day and Uphall with 650. Only Falkirk High, with 1,100 passengers comes close to Linlithgow, with passenger numbers in the hundreds at Polmost and Falkirk Grahamston. Speaking at the meeting of the Executive on Tuesday, Linluthgow Councillor Sally Pattle highlighted the problem with parking exacerbated by the numbers of people driving to Linlithgow to commute by train A steering group, which includes the lead developer, Winchburgh Developments, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SEStran, ScotRail, the City Region Deal and the council, has been meeting monthly for around a year now and 'good progress is being made'. The steering group reports to a stakeholder group comprising MSPs and elected members from the council together with members of the steering group. The next meeting of the stakeholder group has been confirmed for later this month. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Plans for new West Lothian train station give first look at platform design
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The first view of how Winchburgh's new station could look has been released as plans have been lodged with West Lothian Council. The move comes a day after the council agreed that, subject to approval tomorrow (Friday), council officers will now progress a case for funding for the project through the City Region Deal. It comes ten months after the council signed up to be a co-promoter of the station alongside Winchburgh Developments Ltd and more than a decade since a re-opened station was agreed for the rapidly expanding community. A spokesperson confirmed that an update will be taken back to a future meeting of the council's Executive. The station could be operational by the end of the decade taking huge pressure off neighbouring communities including Linlithgow and Uphall which deal with the bulk of commuter traffic on the line at the moment. The plans are likely to be decided on matters specified which means the principle of the station has already been accepted; only details have to be agreed. Transport Scotland told the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this week that it would fund the fit out of any new station. However councillors have called for the Scottish Government to commit to fund the station which could cost £22.5m. The council will seek funding through the City Region Deal, a mechanism that unites six surrounding local authorities with private industry and universities to source UK and Scottish government investment in infrastructure. The council's report confirms that both the Outline Business Case and station design are complete which allows progress to be made with a funding bid for the station. The Outline Business Case identifies the positive benefits of a new railway station at Winchburgh on the Edinburgh – Falkirk High – Glasgow railway line. The proposed design will incorporate a 100 space car park with space for future expansion. A report to the council last week detailed: 'An additional stop at Winchburgh has already been incorporated within the timetable for the Edinburgh – Dunblane service and this has no timetabling impacts on the Edinburgh- Falkirk High – Glasgow timetable.' 'Modelling of the station forecasts around 625 passengers boarding per day at Winchburgh in 2030, increasing to 768 in 2045. 'In the morning peak hour there will be around 80 passengers travelling towards Edinburgh and an estimated 50 towards Stirling. This will equate to an increase of around 10% in rail usage on the Stirling to Edinburgh rail service. 'Winchburgh passenger demand is forecast to grow by around 20% between 2030-45. There is likely to be a 20-25% reduction in bus patronage when the station opens but this loss will be recovered as the housing development is built out.' As a comparison of passenger usage at neighbouring railway stations shows Linlithgow has 1,400 passengers a day and Uphall with 650. Only Falkirk High, with 1,100 passengers comes close to Linlithgow, with passenger numbers in the hundreds at Polmost and Falkirk Grahamston. Speaking at the meeting of the Executive on Tuesday, Linlithgow Councillor Sally Pattle highlighted the problem with parking exacerbated by the numbers of people driving to Linlithgow to commute by train A steering group, which includes the lead developer, Winchburgh Developments, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SEStran, ScotRail, the City Region Deal and the council, has been meeting monthly for around a year now and 'good progress is being made'. The steering group reports to a stakeholder group comprising MSPs and elected members from the council together with members of the steering group. The next meeting of the stakeholder group has been confirmed for later this month.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
New York City-inspired Willow Cathedral completed in Winchburgh
The domed structure, made from 1,000 strips of willow built around a 40ft birch tree, is the new centrepiece of Auldcathie District Park. Residents of Scotland's fastest-growing town are celebrating the latest addition to their community: a cathedral made entirely from willow. The domed structure, made from 1,000 strips of willow built around a 40ft birch tree, is the new centrepiece of Auldcathie District Park, the 85-acre green space formed from the reclamation of a landfill site in the former mining village of Winchburgh in West Lothian. Designed by Deeside Willow in conjunction with local residents, the cathedral – already dubbed Auldcath-edral after the name of the park – was built over two days by 50 volunteers and is already becoming a popular spot for community events or residents looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature. John West, 44, the co-founder of the Winchburgh Community Growing Group who helped coordinate the build, said the team faced several big challenges in building the cathedral, which was constructed using 20ft strips of willow and includes 300 harlequin plants and a seating area around the birch tree. 'It's totally bespoke and a unique design and the biggest structure Deeside Willow has ever built,' said John. 'We sketched a design featuring 14 pillars of willow which connect to two central rings and it was tricky because we had to incorporate the birch tree into the design.' The team also had to ensure it could survive the sometimes severe Scottish winds. John says the new structure, inspired by a similar building in New York City, has already become a focal point for visitors to the award-winning park, which now extends to 85 acres. Winchburgh Developments Ltd, the company behind the masterplan for the town, was winner at the UK Brownfield Awards for its work on the park as part of a £6 million regeneration project. John said: 'This used to be just a barren piece of muddy ground but it's now been transformed and this year it's really taking shape. You see people coming into the park, playing in the park, and then coming purposely into the garden just to have a seat in the cathedral, and admire it. 'It's well used. It's attracting people, it's the biggest feature in the whole park.' John said the building also offered a place away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. 'We are hoping it will make a nice canopy and a place to sit if you want a bit of shade; it's also a nice quiet place. You could read a book or just take in the wildlife. 'It's positioned deliberately in that part of the park because there's a nice curved path that goes round it; it's also the kind of place where if you wanted to, you could get away from the hustle and bustle. It's a very tranquil corner of the garden.' The building will have a practical purpose, too, as a place for the people of the community to come together: a vegetable patch has been created round the nearby pond and classes and workshops will be held in the building. Deeside Willow, who directed the build, has already held a number of willow workshops for local residents and some have acquired willow kits so they can try out the technique at home. Around 2,800 people visited the park for a recent Easter event with many visiting the cathedral for the first time. Nik Millott, who runs Deeside Willow with his wife Katie, said the cathedral was an unusual and challenging project. He said: 'It's the first willow cathedral we've built and the biggest project we've ever undertaken and I haven't seen anything in Scotland like the size of the structure in Winchburgh. 'Obviously, we needed to make sure we were anchoring in the main pillars of the structure because of the wind. It was really important that we got it deep enough to stand up to the wind. 'We feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with the Winchburgh Growing Group – it's an amazing development. To see the living willow structure and the smiles on people's faces, and the interest it's creating in the park as well, that fills us with joy. And it's not me putting the willow in the ground, it's the residents of Winchburgh and that's what makes it extra special.' The cathedral will now be maintained by the volunteers of the growing group. 'In year two, we'll need to shape it a bit and keep tying it in,' said John. 'You can twist it round and tweak it constantly so that we get a nice dome effect. 'The willow is just starting to burst into buds and will always grow around the dome. It will always be evolving.' John Hamilton. of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, added: 'When we committed to an infrastructure-first approach to planning the growth of Winchburgh, we didn't account for a 'cathedral' being at the heart of the 85-acre park at the heart of the town. 'It's another example of some excellent collaborative working for the benefit of our community, and we will continue to support Winchburgh Community Growing Group in such initiatives going forward.'
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Thousands pack Winchburgh's Auldcathie Park for Easter Egg-stravaganza
Almost three thousand people packed Winchburgh's Auldcathie Park for an Easter Egg-stravaganza. Some 2800 people enjoyed egg hunts, stilt-walkers, ice-cream and face-painting in an action packed series of events in the heart of Scotland's fastest-growing town. The much-loved annual event attracted 1600 guests last year, and its growing popularity reflects the excellent organisation of Winchburgh Community Growing Group, with generous financial support from Winchburgh Developments Ltd. [WDL] and local housebuilders. Group member John West said: 'There was fun for all the family. Of course, the brilliant Easter Sunday weather helped everyone have a great time. 'There was a constant flow of people in the park throughout the day for the toddlers' and family egg hunts, food and drink stalls and more.' The event, which is one of a regular series of community events in the town, also featured a live DJ, balloon art, demonstrations by Deeside Willow and a plant sale by Mo from RHS. Penny Lochhead, community sport and green space manager for WDL, said: 'It's been an amazing start to the year for the Winchburgh Growers, who had the growing area looking fabulous for Easter. "We are delighted to continue our support for the Growers and the Winchburgh Wombles - the volunteers' hard work provides a sanctuary for the community in the heart of Winchburgh, and they host so many wonderful community events such as this one which bring everyone together.' 'We're so lucky to be part of a community that embraces a village mentality when it comes to community events for all ages of people but that also offers all the benefits of a town through its infrastructure and amenities,' added John Hamilton, CEO of town masterplanner WDL. 'Congratulations go to John West and his team of excellent volunteers for laying on another fun- filled weekend for a record-breaking number of local people to enjoy.' Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
