EAST Lothian Council has been accused of wasting public money after traffic islands were installed at the entrances to some coastal car parks ahead of the introduction of a £2 charge for vehicles.

The traffic islands, which have central ducting posts for conducting electricity, appeared at John Muir Country Park and Yellowcraig, as well as Gullane Bents.

The council has denied claims by SNP opposition councillor Stuart Currie that the islands were installed to hold barriers which are no longer being introduced.

Instead, they insist the islands are part of “traffic management measures”.

However, Mr Currie said there was no reason for the islands to have been introduced at the car parks.

He said: “Normally these islands are installed for pedestrians to safely cross from one side of the road to the other. The reality is that these islands were installed as part of the introduction of parking charges, for barriers to be put up.

“That has now been abandoned at yet more cost to the council tax payers in East Lothian.” The council had initially planned to use barriers at the majority of the car parks as a more effective way of ensuring people pay the new fees for using the sites.

However, it is understood problems arose when it came to allowing Blue Badge holders free entry so the idea of barriers was scrapped, with pay and display machines now planned for the car parks.

The council plans to charge people £2 a day to park in 10 coastal car parks, with a £40 season ticket available for regular users.

Parking charges are being introduced at Longniddry Bents (three car parks), Gullane Bents, Yellowcraig, Whitesands, Barns Ness and the three car parks at John Muir Country Park – Linkfield, Shore Road and Tyninghame Links.

The controversial charges have come in for criticism from SNP councillors, who have vowed to scrap them if they are voted into power at the next local government election.

Mr Currie voiced anger after it was revealed that the police would be expected to issue fines to vehicles which do not display tickets at the car parks, with money raised by fines going to the Crown, not the local authority.

A spokesperson for the council said the ducting on the traffic islands was to allow for power to be added if needed in the future.

They said: “This will allow for power to be added at any point in the future if a need arises e.g. for retractable bollards, lighting.

“But the islands’ main purpose is for traffic management.”