Person struck by train near Bathgate on West Lothian line

“Schools may stagger daily start and finish times to reduce congestion at the school gates, and individual schools will be in touch to confirm local arrangements for this and other services such as breakfast clubs.“The return to full-time education was conditional on infection rates being sufficiently low to continue to control the virus, public health and testing systems being in place and protective measures and risk assessments being carried out in schools.“West Lothian Council is putting in

Police in West Lothian have launched an enquiry after the body of a man was found inside a house in Bathgate at the weekend.The body of the 43-year-old was found in a property on Marjoribanks Street on Sunday.Police confirmed officers are investigating the “unexplained” death.A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Around 1.15pm on Sunday, August, 2, the body of a 43-year-old man was discovered within a property on Marjoribanks Street, Bathgate.“The death is currently being treated as unexplained

“While we welcome the easing of outdoor restrictions and an indicative date, the industry needs financial support if they are to come out of the other side of this pandemic.“On Monday, August 3 the SHFA will be launching the ‘Let’s Work(out) Together’ Campaign in which we are asking every health and fitness professional, every member, client and fitness enthusiast to write to their local MSP imploring for more sector specific funding to keep our industry alive.

Around 70 West Lothian eateries have signed up to offer customers 50 per cent off their bills this month.Pubs, restaurant and cafes around the county are using the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which gives people a 50 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks up to £10 per head.The discount can be used an unlimited number of times on any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in August.You don’t need a voucher - the deal works automatically and sees up to £10 a person wiped from the

It got messy in Blackridge when locals organised a charity fundraiser with a difference.Natalie McCrimmon wanted to raise money for mental health charity, Mind and so held a ‘gunge walk’ around the village, inspired by the charity’s Messy4Mind events.This saw Natalie, daughter Talia and Blackridge gala committee member Barry Denholm getting covered in goo, baked beans and other unpleasant stuff, which was thrown at them by people who had lined the streets to cheer them on.Natalie, who cheered up

People in West Lothian who are facing money worries as a result of coronavirus are being urged to take full advantage of the support available.The coronavirus pandemic has led to more people facing challenges around bills, rent and job security.The Scottish Government, in partnership with the Citizens Advice network in Scotland, is raising awareness of the support available for those who need it during these difficult times.

Two sisters from West Lothian were inspired to ‘walk’ to their cancelled holiday destinations after reading about a woman’s fight with Motor Neurone Disease.Natalie Hughes (38) and Sharon Lee (35) decided to walk the distance from Scotland to Ibiza and Dubai for charity when their trips were cancelled due to the pandemic.The Bathgate sisters are both fitness instructors and rounded up their clients, friends and family to help them complete the 4500 mile distance.They decided to raise money for

“The Scottish Government has both the ability and moral obligation to do this.” SNP MSP for Almond Valley, Angela Constance, said: “West Lothian like the rest of Scotland is experiencing the hardship of a significant rise in unemployment due to the double whammy of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.“What we need now as a matter of urgency is a Job Guarantee Scheme particularly for young people who are at most risk from the long-term effects of unemployment.

The Five Sisters Zoo has revealed its plans for the coming months after welcoming visitors again after lockdown.The popular attraction has been open since last month and staff say they are delighted to see families coming back through the doors.And there is plenty to keep everyone busy over the coming weeks and months.The popular summer nights attractions are running again this year and details have been released about what visitors can expect in the autumn and winter.A spokesperson for the zoo

A West Lothian Aldi store has helped a local charity to provide more than 19,000 meals to vulnerable people in the area during the past year.The Boghall Drop In Centre, which provides a range of educational cooking and healthy living services, has been receiving donations of fresh food each week from the Aldi store in Whitburn for the past year.Heather McCormack of Boghall Drop In Centre, explained that before the pandemic, the charity had already noticed an increase in people looking for help

West Lothian tonight. Officers from Police Scotland are currently responding to an incident believed to be taking place on Avon Drive in Linlithgow Bridge after being called earlier this evening.

The finalists will attend the online ceremony on August 13.The winners will be announced during the live streamed event hosted by Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney streamed on Young Scot’s YouTube channel.Now in its 14th year, the awards highlight the amazing achievements of young people across Scotland.Winners will join a prestigious rollcall including actors such as Karen Gillan and Martin Compston, alongside world class athletes including Sir Andy Murray and Olympian Laura Muir.Louise Macdonald OBE,

The most recently released figures show the number of deaths reached 100 in the week to July 15 ( Week 28).National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures released on Wednesday for the week to 22 July (Week 29) reveal no change in the West Lothian’s totals and only two Covid-19 related deaths in the wider Lothian NHS Trust area last week.As at July 19, 4193 deaths have been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

This support scheme will temporarily join other grants that BUTA administers to traders seeking support in setting up or improving their premises.These include shop front improvements, security improvements, solid bare metal roller shutter replacement and a new business grant.Gordon Allan, chairperson, BUTA said: “We believe this special scheme will ensure we are providing support to our local shops when they most need it and help ensure our local shops are made as safe as possible giving

Police in West Lothian are appealing for information following a serious road crash in Whitburn.The incident happened around 1.20pm on Friday, 17 July, 2020 on the B7066 Polkemmet Road, Whitburn, involving a black Subaru Impreza and an Audi Q2.As a result of the collision, a 59-year-old man was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with serious injuries.

A person has died after being hit by a train between Bathgate and Blackridge this morning (Thursday).Scotrail confirmed the person had sadly died after being struck at around 6am.The line was closed but reopened a few hours after, however trains were not stopping at Armadale for some time as a result.Scotrail said: “Sadly, a person has been struck by a train between Bathgate and Blackridge.“Services between Helensburgh and Edinburgh will now terminate at Airdrie with travellers being recommended

Glasgow on Friday evening. All trains between Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street were temporarily halted as the lines were closed.ScotRail confirmed the tragic news shortly after 6pm and said that emergency services were called to the scene.The condition of the person hit is currently unknown.A tweet from the rail operator said: “Sadly, due to a person being hit by a train between Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street all lines are closed.“We’re working closely with the emergency

"We sent an ambulance and two HART vehicles to scene."As a result, trains running between Manchester Oxford Road and Warrington Central have been disrupted.East Midlands Railways and Northern services have been affected.Passengers are being told services may be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.East Midland customers can use their tickets on Northern, London Northwestern Railway, TransPennine Express or Metrolink routes.Rail replacement buses are running on Northern routes between the two

Pub goers were able to raise a glass of their favourite tipple as beer gardens opened up across the county this week.The easing of lockdown restrictions meant that folk could enjoy a beer in the sun from Monday.Locals made the most of the weather as they sat outside in the sun and enjoyed a socially-distanced drink.The Railway Tavern in Bathgate enjoyed a happy reopening.Owner Colin Hilditch said: “It was great to get back open and see so many regular faces again.“We were really happy with how