including Local Clubs

updated 4 June 2011

Do you have any information that would be of interest to Blackridge residents?  please e-mail Rosie

Blackridge, Westrigg and Westcraigs Gala Day 2010.

© Caroline Bell

Index

(Armadale Noticeboard)

Sunday 26 June 2011: Blackridge, Westrigg and West Craigs Children's Gala Day.  Volunteers should contact the Chairman, Jimmy Moffat, on 01501-750412.

1 June 2011 - 30 September 2011: Display at Blackridge Community Museum: The history of Blackridge and its past on the stage coach route from Glasgow to Edinburgh + photography about the old railway in the area.  Open during library opening hours.

West Lothian's new Sunday Market and Car Boot Sale at Sibbald Park, Blackridge, starts today and will run every Sunday.  Public entry only 9am - 4pm. 

Booking for stall holders is essential.  Phone 07890507318 to book your pitch.

February 2011

© Tam Bell

Blackridge Station Update from Stuart Borrowman: 'Blackridge station is close to completion and I had the privilege of being on a special train from Airdrie to Bathgate on Tuesday. There were about twenty guests (mostly lawyers, technical people) but including two residents of Caldercruix, Clark Steele and me.
It all looks great and offered a very smooth ride.
Blackridge station car park and access are complete with some finishing touches on the bridge and approach.
PlatformBlackridge is holding a victory celebration on the 18th (Nov) that will include George Campbell, a former railwayman who worked at the old Westcraigs station and Mary Mulligan, MSP.

The line will be opened by the First Minister on 10 December [2010] and services will roll from the 12th! '

The Rocky Road to Success!

Platform Blackridge: Victory for People Power

• 27 May 2009: West Lothian Council announced that Planning Consent was granted for Blackridge Station and the last parcel of land needed for the Station was secured.

• 23 January 2009: Manor Lane (who had agreed in principle to contribute to the station costs) went into Administration today.  Alternative funding is now being sought.

• 14 October 2008 Statement: 'After a campaign of almost three years, Platform Blackridge is delighted to confirm that Blackridge station will go ahead.  Earlier this month, the government achieved a resolution of issues with Network Rail over the use of savings elsewhere on the line.  On Monday 13 October, Manorlane confirmed that this week they will sign the developer contributions package towards the costs of the station.  With these two steps forward, the tests set by the Transport Minister after the election have now been met and commitment will be confirmed.  West Lothian Council has the powers now to approve a planning application for the station itself and to acquire a small strip of land needed on the south side of the line.  Platform Blackridge Convener Stuart Borrowman said, “Our group is delighted to have succeeded and I thank all those villagers – led by the community council - who simply wouldn’t accept being excluded from the original proposal. Their persistence is what has made the difference. I’d also like to thank officials who have worked on this and those (the overwhelming majority) of elected politicians of all parties and of none who have supported us.”   Manorlane / Blackridge Station

• 30th April 2008: The Council’s Development Control Committee voted to approve the application by Manorlane at Westrigg.
  The officers’ report recommended approval for 462 houses (but no more than 210 to be built before the schools are extended). The proposal includes 47 retirement flats and two shop units.  The application includes an access road and parking for the station but not the station itself. That would be the subject of a separate application, possible by Network Rail.  The developer contributions are worth £2m in cash and kind to the estimated total station cost of £3.5m+. The developer is also contributing to the school refurbishment and affordable housing.