Livingston
Station
coordinates:
55°53'53.32"N,
3°33'51.37"W
location: within the
Deans district of Livingston, West Lothian
former parish: Livingston
current
status:
demolished other than shops in Main St. and redeveloped for
housing.
date
constructed: c.1902 - c.1910
owner/builder: Pumpherston
Oil Co.
"In
this village there are 179 houses with a population of 1,105
persons. More than 160 of the houses are owned by the Pumpherston
Oil Co. The village will compare favourably with most mining
villages for the general arrangement and position. Most
of the houses have little gardens in the front, others have
gardens both front and back, as also drying greens fenced
off with iron railings. Swings and play centres are provided
for the children.
There
are 76 houses consisting of room , kitchen, scullery with
boiler and sink, also coal cellar. In 40 houses there is
a w.c. for every two tenants, and in 36 houses a w.c. is
provided for each tenant - rental 4/- weekly, inclusive
of rates. There are 88 houses having the same accommodation
as above, with an attic in addition, which are let at a
rental of 4/6 weekly. All the houses have front and back
doors. Drying greens are provided. The space between the
backdoors of each house is cemented. All refuse is removed
from dust-bins daily by the Company. Two families frequently
live in one house, owing to the scarcity of houses.
An
institute with library, and a bowling green, are made good
use of by the workers. Spray baths are to be had at the
institute, for a small charge. We believe the troubles which
arise from time to time are, in a measure, associated with
the defective system of sewage disposal, which is discharged
in a wood near the village. It should be easily remedied."
Theodore
K. Irvine, Report on the Housing Conditions in the Scottish
Shale Field, 1914.
Livingston station c1950.
Main St. Livingston, looking South c.1965
Architectural
Plan of houses in Main Road, dated 1908
Main
St. Livingston Station, looking North. October 2009
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