Toilet facilities have been made available to users of North Berwick’s train station.

The issue has been long discussed by members of the town’s community council, who would like to see toilets added as a permanent fixutre at the train station.

However, concerned by the lack of toilets during the busy summer period, local businessman Roy Symon responded to a request from the recently formed Community Rail Partnership, and agreed that the facilities at the Westgate Galleries could be made available to rail users.

And that news was welcomed by Sheila Sinclair, the community council chairwoman, though she said it was not a long-term option.

She said: “We are extremely grateful to the Westgate Galleries for not only recognising the problem facing many visitors to the town but also showing willingness to help alleviate it.

“Clearly, however, this is not a permanent solution but hopefully will provide a spur for East Lothian Council and the relevant rail authorities to concentrate on finding the way forward.” And Sheila hopes that work scheduled to get under way later this year – to extend the platform – will see toilets added to the station.

She added: “Given that there are plans to extend the station platform (scheduled for September) which will give the potential for even more passengers to be conveyed on this route, it would seem to be the ideal time for positive action to be taken.”