MEMBERS of the public are being canvassed for their views on the future development of the Fisherrow Harbour area of Musselburgh.

East Lothian Council has enlisted consultants Campbell Macrae Associates to carry out a feasibility study, which has been supported by £12,000 from the Musselburgh Area Partnership.

The move has already been welcomed by local groups seeking to boost the potential of the “neglected” historic harbour, dubbed “the jewel in Musselburgh’s crown”.

Sandra Macrae, of Campbell Macrae Associates, attended a meeting of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council last week to gauge its views on the harbour and waterfront area.

She said: “We are quite well into the study now and have had a lot of consultation with various groups, mostly connected with the harbour and waterfront area.

“I am looking at trying to take a more strategic approach to what is being done there. Lots of people have got different ideas of what they would like to see.

“Some things have actually gone ahead, such as the showers at the toilets and signposting of Fisherrow Harbour and promenade, but people feel it has all been done piecemeal and it is better to take a strategic approach.

“I have been brought in to gather as much information as I can about the harbour and waterfront area – to find out if it’s being maintained, how much is being spent, how much money it is bringing in and what else is happening round about with the beach and local bathing water quality.”

She asked the community councillors: “Is the harbour and beach area something which the people of Musselburgh value and do they use it?

“Or is it something that is just that bit out of the town centre and perhaps isn’t as well known.”

Irene Tait, community council chairwoman, said: “It is very highly thought of – there is no doubt about that – by local people and people further afield.

“There is always this emphasis that we need to get people into Musselburgh but I can assure you, when the hot weather comes and on a good sunny day, if you go to that harbour it will be chock-a-block. People like just sitting and looking out at the sea.

“Fisherrow is a great asset to Musselburgh, it really is. Even in bad weather, people still go out in their boats and there are dog walkers.”

Community councillors called for a paddling pool for children to be reinstated and more activities like a Punch and Judy show to be staged during the summer.

Member Catherine McArthur said: “When my children were growing up, it had a paddling pool where the swing park is which was great. It was always very, very busy in the summer.”

Mrs Macrae said: “What about the parking there? One of the bugbears of some people is that there are too many cars parked right in front of the harbour and it could actually do with a bit of a clear out of that, and making more of a pedestrian area, getting better views on to the harbour.”

Mrs Tait added: “If you want to bring people in, you need to have somewhere for them to park, so you really need to get a happy medium.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, who was present at the meeting, said: “The biggest worry I have is that as soon as there is a first glint of the sun, there is a cast of thousands down there and a lot of children going about. Is is never quite clear how safe it is, although the one-way system helps.”

Mrs Tait suggested creating a more obvious, safe route for pedestrians and cyclists using the area. She agreed that the car park at Back Sands was one of the areas that could be redesigned for picnic tables, as it would be easier to define “safety wise”. But she added that nearby householders would have to be considered and people liked sitting in their cars looking at the view.

Betty Ramsden said more seating was needed and Mrs Macrae mooted the idea of having ramps at the entrances to the beach to help those who were less mobile. Mr Currie added that more picnic tables could be provided and suggested temporary huts selling seaside goods during the summer season.

Mrs McArthur stressed: “The main thing is to consider the community as a whole.”

Mrs Macrae suggested creating more of a square by shutting the through road at The Quay and Clark’s fishmongers.

She was told that there was talk of making Harbour Road one-way.

Stuart Baxter, area partnership manager, said that the consultants’ feasibility study would clearly set out a strategy with particular focus on how to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the leisure market and would include an action plan containing proposals, along with indicative costs and projected economic benefits.

“It will aim to identify short, medium and long-term improvements with indicative costs and sources of potential external funding,” he added. “The Musselburgh Area Partnership is keen to work with the consultants, East Lothian Council and other stakeholders to help deliver any achievable projects and improvements identified in the final report.

A survey to gauge the public’s view is now on the council’s website at eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/policy-partnerships/fisherrow-harbour-and-waterfront-area-feasibility