THE lack of maintenance at Musselburgh’s Fisherrow Harbour has been slammed, amid fears it could become “a muddy hole devoid of life”.

It was claimed pleas to East Lothian Council had been “systemically ignored” for decades, with a call for urgent action issued to improve management of the visitor attraction.

Norrie Law, of the Fisherrow Berth Holders’ Association, and Bill Nicol, who represents the public on the Fisherrow Harbour Users Committee, said work to replace 20 “unsafe” ladders had not yet started, despite cash being allocated for the project from the town’s Common Good Fund.

Crumbling stone steps leading down to the water were in need of repair and the weather-beaten harbour walls required to be re-pointed, they added. Rusty litter bins, which were broken, needed replaced, and weed killing was needed along the piers, they stressed.

They also expressed concern that metal security rings for dinghies had not been removed, even though they were no longer used, and people were “tripping” on them.

They said a £12,000 donation given by Musselburgh Area Partnership Group for a feasibility study into the future of the harbour would have been better spent on urgent maintenance priorities.

Mr Nicol said: “On a sunny day all the seats at the harbour are full of people. The doors on the litter bins have rusted and when the wind blows the doors flap.

“We don’t know what the brief is for the feasibility study. There are things we could do – this is safety. The ladders and weeds are atrocious. The harbour is falling to pieces and we are wasting £12,000 on a feasibility study.”

Mr Law added: “The association was formed three years ago to try and persuade East Lothian Council to do maintenance work on the harbour, as the structure was falling into disrepair.

“We are trying to get things done but nothing is happening. The ladders at the sides of the harbour are in a dreadful state and some of them are quite dangerous and difficult to use. Going down you can’t see where your feet are. There is a whole lot of maintenance needing done.

“There are big holes on the outside of the pier where it takes all the storms. We have asked for years for it to be done. The berth holders association never get asked about anything.”

He said the harbour was owned by the Common Good Fund, which had given funds to replace the ladders, and the site was administered by East Lothian Council which now had to go to Historic Scotland to get its permission to replace them.

Mark McClelland, commodore of Fisherrow Yacht Club, added that the Common Good Fund had “millions of pounds” in funds.

He claimed: “The recommendations of the harbour users’ committee, which was set up by the council to advise on the management of the harbour, with regards to essential maintenance, have been systematically ignored for decades.

“This coincides with the passing of the wardenship of the harbour to East Lothian Council; previously the HUC was a very effective group with a direct line to decision makers. Now the perception is there is no budget, no management structure or direction and seemingly no political will to address the failing regime whose neglect is risking the future of this important community asset.

“The people of Musselburgh own the harbour and have to hold those tasked with its maintenance to account. No one wants a muddy hole devoid of life with crumbling walls as the centre point for Musselburgh’s waterfront promenade.”

“The management of Fisherrow Harbour needs to be examined urgently. A working asset, such as this, needs an effective body who can make recommendations and secure funding.”

He welcomed the funding for a feasibility study, adding: “The funding supplied by Musselburgh Area Partnership for a feasibility study is a very welcome and important step. It will examine the economic importance of the harbour and waterfront and explore how more could be made of the area, looking at the costs and benefits of investment. In highlighting how important the waterfront and harbour is, attracting bird watchers, sunbathers, cyclists and sailors, walkers and dog walkers to the area, we hope the document will make a sound economic argument to refocus council thinking and spur them into action. I believe it will be money well spent.”

A council spokesperson said: “Funding has been allocated to the urgent repair and replacement of the handrails and ladders at Fisherrow Harbour. Council officers are following set procurement and work processes to ensure suitable replacements are put in place.

“The perceived lack of progress is understandably frustrating; however, there are set procedures to be followed to ensure a high quality of work will be carried out. The harbour is a listed structure, therefore suitable planning permission will need to be sought.

“The additional work has been reported to the relevant departments.”

A spokesman for Musselburgh Area Partnership said: “The partnership are currently working with the council to finalise the contract documents and to appoint a consultant to carry out a study. It is envisaged that the report will provide an action plan identifying short, medium and long-term proposals for the future development of the harbour and waterfront area, and identifying possible sources of funding.”