MEMBERS of the public look set to finally have a say on controversial exercise stations beside the River Tyne at Haddington.

The 10 stations, a series of metal rails and demonstration boards along the walkway between The Maltings and St Mary’s Parish Church, have been met with widespread opposition.

They were installed in February on behalf of East Lothian Council, but it was later revealed that they actually required planning permission.

A spokeswoman for the local authority told the Courier a planning application would be submitted this week.

Ward councillor Tom Trotter was unable to comment on the scheme as he is part of the planning committee which could decide whether permission is given later this year.

However, he added: “Haddington and District Amenity Society (HADAS) spoke publicly against the exercise stations but there have been people that are in favour of them as well.

“At the end of the day, I suppose it is trying to promote people getting a healthy lifestyle – we just need to make sure we get the end product right.”

In November, Haddington’s community council agreed to help fund the scheme with a grant for £1,400.

That was matched by Paths for All, with further funding coming from Ageing Well.

However, when the exercise stations were installed, many of the community councillors were left underwhelmed.

Last month, Andrew Robinson, Karen Stevenson and Helen Robertson, from HADAS, attended the community council’s monthly meeting. Mrs Stevenson, HADAS chairwoman, said: “We don’t feel the stations are suitable for the character of that part of Haddington and we are looking for a review.”

Meanwhile, Mr Robinson acknowledged it was “impossible” to please everyone but he felt it was “unfortunate” that HADAS had not been consulted before a decision was taken.

He said: “I have lived here for 41 years and have had that amazing riverside walk five minutes from my house.

“The discovery of exercise stations on March 6 came totally out of the blue as far as I was concerned.”

However, community council chairwoman Jan Wilson felt the exercise stations were “not that intrusive”.

She added: “We used to go to Peebles and they had fantastic exercise stations. My son and daughter were about six and eight and they had exercise stations around the River Tweed.

“I was thinking that would be a good thing and the majority of community councillors supported the application.”

But she added: “Last month, Pat Lemmon brought some photographs of the exercise stations and I have to say we were so disappointed.”