A LONG-AWAITED revamp of two dilapidated all-weather sports pitches in Port Seton is to get under way next week.

The two enclosed astroturf pitches next to the Port Seton Centre – known locally as ‘the cages’ – will be replaced with one 3G and one 2G artificial sport surface. Work on the project is due to start on September 5 and will be completed later this year.

The current pitch complex is, due to its age and condition, an eyesore  with damaged wire fencing, broken wooden ‘back-boards’ and a surface that is past its sell-by date.

Plans for the upgrading of the pitches were approved in East Lothian Council’s budget in February and are part of a much bigger £1million-plus project to build, over the next two years, a new sports hall onto the existing Port Seton Centre.

It is hoped the new surfaces, which are expected to cost about £100,000, funded between the local authority and sportscotland, will be ready by late the autumn.

The spokeswoman said: “Work is scheduled to start the week beginning September 5 to upgrade the two synthetic pitches and fencing on the Port Seton pitches.

“The new pitches will have one 3G pitch suitable for five-a-side football and hockey and one polymeric surface suitable for multi-sport use.”

However, the local authority spokeswoman urged caution over the competition date for the project.

“We would ask people to bear in mind that works of this nature are totally weather-dependent,” she said. “So, although we are hoping to have the works completed by late autumn, it may take longer than that.”

Councillor Willie Innes, council leader and ward member, told the Courier: “This is definitely to be welcomed.

“The modern surface will give local residents the opportunity to play at a higher quality facility. The facility is really well -used and it is part of our healthy living strategy, encouraging young people to keep active in their communities.”