PLANS to introduce speed restrictions in three communities in East Lothian received more than 150 complaints. . . but a report has revealed that almost all of them came from just one person.

East Lothian Council advertised its intention to introduce 20mph speed limits in some roads in Cockenzie, Tranent and North Berwick after holding trials.

However, a report lodged with the council’s members library service revealed that it received 151 complaints about the plans to make the change permanent. It added, though, that “148 of these objections were from one person, which was unprecedented”.

In the end, council officials ruled that only 14 of the objections had to be responded to as the additional ones were ruled as duplicates.

And they dismissed every objection, insisting the permanent 20mph limits should be introduced on Lochbridge Road, North Berwick; Whin Park, Cockenzie; and the Muirpark area, Tranent.

Among the objections considered were claims that the council had failed to carry out proper consultations ahead of the speed changes; that the reduced speed limit would put additional burden on Police Scotland; and that the council had not produced any data to back up the positive impact of reducing the speed.

One objection even claimed that the council was suggesting the previous speed limit of 30mph was a dangerous driving speed, saying the move “implies that the 30mph restricted roads is a danger and an excess speed, as such the national and local authority would be negligent in allowing 30mph speed limits”.

But council officials responded: “In certain circumstances driving at 30mph can be deemed as excessive: outside schools, in busy built -p areas, where there area number of pedestrians crossing the road, vulnerable road users etc.”