NEW signs welcoming people to towns and villages throughout the Fa'side ward could be in place next year.

Two projects have already been identified by the Fa'side Area Partnership (FAP) with members keen to renew the “Gateway signage” to the main towns and villages.

That would see signs at each of the main entrance and exit points of Tranent and the ward's smaller communities.

At the same time, the idea of herbaceous borders, planters and cairns is being considered.

Similarly communities could explore the idea of installing driver feedback signs, which flash up the speed of an approaching vehicle, in their area.

Robert McNeill, from Tranent’s community council, told members there had been site visits to look at the various entrances to places like Tranent, Macmerry and Elphinstone.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar felt it was something worth being explored.

She said: “This is a great initiative and a good example of the Area Partnership and our partnership manager, Simon Davie, in action.

“The initiative will make a difference to all the villages in the ward and help to capture some of its history and culture.

“People from all the villages have been asked to get involved and provide their comments on the kind of signage they would like to see.

“All the villages in the ward will benefit from this initiative.”

Mr Davie, area manager, felt it was a project that was “deliverable” before the end of the financial year.

He said: “This is a project which could symbolise the work of the partnership and give us a physical point of reference in terms of the impact we can make in our communities, making the link between our local communities and the FAP and their particular heritage, character or history.

“It also marks the start of a journey and impacts on our main town and each of our villages, showing parity and equity to each community.

“There would also be an opportunity to place on the signage that these have been created and provided by FAP and have media events for their unveiling.”