Kirknewton Community Development Plan 2012-2014

Kirknewton, West Lothian Community Profile Population Kirknewton is a village in transition. The exact population figure is unknown but is estimated to be around 2267 (it was 1363 according to the 2001 GRO/Census figures) and around 500 after the military left in 1989.

20% of the village are 0-15 years. Nearly 70% are between working and pensionable age. 10% are of pensionable age.

The primary school has approximately 200 pupils and many of the high school pupils attend Balerno High School. At the Primary School there are just over 11 full time teachers and 4% of pupils are registered for free school meals (source www.scottishschoolonline.gov.uk). There is an after school club, Playgroup and a Baby & Toddler group. No wraparound care is provided by the Council for the Primary School. The Primary School underwent considerable change and enhancement during the period of the presence of the Army, given the arrival of major cohorts of young children every two years, who previously had been educated by the military. It is now a major resource for the community.

Just under 50% of the village are in employment. Over 65% of people who work rely on a car to get to work (Scotland’s Census 2001) travelling, on average, over 18 miles.

Transport At the west end of the village is Kirknewton railway station, officially known as Mid Calder Railway Station until the 1980s. Where the B7031 crosses the railway line at the west end of the station is a level crossing that in recent years has seen a series of small commuter accidents and collisions between cars and trains.

Kirknewton is approximately 1 hour to Glasgow and 20 minutes to Edinburgh by train. There is a bus service, currently operated by First Bus, approximately every half hour to Edinburgh/Livingston and a limited service to Balerno.

Facilities & Services Not only is Kirknewton poorly resourced compared to similar communities in the area, the village had more community facilities in 1910 when it was a fraction of its current size. In the last two decades several substantial housing developments have increased the size of the village significantly but no new community facilities have been added!

There is a modest and ill equipped village hall but no community centre. The Village Hall historically provided a range of entertainments from drama and musical, through film screenings and bingo to food and beverage provision. These are no longer feasible under current legislation. Other spaces utilised for clubs and activities are the school and church halls, but there is no cohesive policy on pricing and booking these areas.

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