A LETTER urging action on an “eyesore” sewage pipe at an iconic location in North Berwick is to be sent to a number of groups in a bid for something to finally be done about the issue.

The letter from North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) about the sewage pipe on the town’s popular West Beach will be sent to the pipe’s owners Scottish Water, as well as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), East Lothian Council, the three North Berwick Coastal ward councillors – Jim Goodfellow, Jane Henderson and Jeremy Findlay – and Iain Gray, East Lothian’s MSP.

Bill Macnair, an NBCC member, wrote a letter to the Courier last month outlining his frustrations at the lack of action on solving the problem of the eyesore pipe, which became exposed for about 500 yards of the beach due to the ‘Beast from the East’ storm in March.

Previously the pipe had been exposed after storms in December 2010 and was only re-covered by the natural return of sand to the beach during the following years’ tides.

As well as being an eyesore, sand and rocks collect around the pipe and are then blasted by the tide against the sea wall, causing it damage.

In the letter to the Courier, Mr Macnair said: “No one wants to know or accept responsibility as [previous]works were carried out by organisations that no longer exist. We do expect the relevant responsible authorities/company to look very seriously at the problem of aesthetics and erosion and implement works that are well-engineered and acceptable to the residents of North Berwick.”

At a community council meeting earlier this month, he said: “I know Dunbar has an issue about this [Dunbar’s East Beach has an exposed sewage pipe due to a lack of sand] but I have had a lot of thanks for writing the letter.”

Councillor Jim Goodfellow confirmed that an engineer had been out to inspect the pipe and noted that there were problems. He said: “[The engineer] has written to Scottish Water pointing out the faults and is waiting for an email back about the responsibility of the pipe.”

A Scottish Water spokeswoman confirmed ownership of the pipe, adding it was “an essential part of our waste water infrastructure”.

She added: “We are aware parts of this pipe can be temporarily exposed depending on weather conditions. Over time the pipe will naturally be covered back over by sand.

“We would like to reassure our customers in North Berwick the sewer is operating as it should.

“Scottish Water is committed to working to enhance the coastal environment across Scotland and in June will be carrying out a beach clean at North Berwick.”