I was pleased to see that, although now living in Duns, Kate Thomas is continuing to take an interest in goings on in Dunbar, where she was formerly a community councillor (Courier letter, August 29).

She is correct in remembering that she was in something of a minority on the community council when she defended the decision of East Lothian Council officials to cluster zebra crossings around Dunbar High Street’s central mini-roundabout.

Kate’s views were shown to be shared by an even smaller minority among the public when an opinion survey about the zebra crossings was conducted by the community council. The outcome was that reluctant officials were forced to move them to their present locations.

However, as is not unusual for this council section, associated works have not been delivered. East Lothian councillors spoke about a parking bay for lorries near to the Co-op store, which is yet to appear. Also, in my view, thought will have to be given to realigning the angled parking bays closest to the crossing between the Co-op Store and Umberto’s cafe, as careless motorists have a habit of reversing onto the crossing while pedestrians are making use of it, thereby creating the possibility of an accident.

The safety of youngsters going to, and returning from, school was why I raised the issue of the High Street school crossing attendant (lollipop person). The attendant has been moved from his previous location close to the mini-roundabout and the West Port to the easternmost zebra crossing. There, when on duty, he assiduously assists adults to cross High Street, while children, who no longer benefit from his protection, continue to cross the street at his previous location.

I have no criticism to make of the school crossing attendant, but I do question the wisdom of the instruction he received to move his location. When the Courier raised this issue with East Lothian Council, a spokesperson said a survey had been carried out about this matter before the school summer holidays, and parents had expressed their support for the changed location. This was news to me, nor do I have any recollection of the outcome of the survey being shared with the community council.

Kate thinks it’s “ridiculous” of me to raise this issue. The safety of children on their way to school cannot be dismissed in this way. I have written to the council’s chief executive to ask for details of the opinion survey, which I intend to share with my colleagues on the community council. It will then be up to them to decide whether or not this matter should be further pursued.

Kate Thomas gave a great deal of her time and energy to the work of the community council when living in Dunbar. I do hope she is making a similar contribution to the life of the attractive town of Duns.

Herbert Coutts Kirkhill House Dunbar