Offenders could clean Dunbar High Street

Men and women serving community payback orders imposed by criminal courts undertake a variety of tasks, including core path improvements and cemetery maintenance work.

Now, ward councillor Michael Veitch is pushing for them to carry out their hours of unpaid work on Dunbar High Street.

He said: “High Street is cleaned and cleaned well by the council’s team but a number of people have raised the issue of a more thorough, deep clean of some sort to remove the stains on the pavement.

“It struck me that to try to get that done before the John Muir Festival would be a bonus.” Mr Veitch raised the issue at the town’s community council meeting last Monday night.

He had approached the local authority about the idea but currently those completing orders are being used to paint the railings at the town’s Lauderdale Park.

And, he got in touch with the Courier last week to say progress had been made.

He said: “I’ve had an email in from the council’s principal amenity officer assuring me that a detailed clean of as much of the town centre, leisure pool and Bayswell Road area as possible will be undertaken in the days leading up to the festival and during it.” A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council told the Courier the local authority’s justice team “encouraged” suggestions.

She added: “The council’s criminal justice team considers applications for community projects that could be carried out by those given community payback orders.”