WORK will be carried out to “improve the aesthetic” of an eyesore sewage pipe which earlier this year became exposed on a popular North Berwick beach.

The sewage pipe on West Beach became visible for about 500 yards of the beach, one of the town’s most popular visitor attractions, as a result of the ‘Beast from the East’ that plunged the county under snow for several days in March.

Mother Nature has been kind and the pipe is, by and large, under sand once again – though there are concerns it is likely to be exposed again in future if a permanent solution is not found.

As well as being an eyesore at a popular tourist spot, sand and rocks collect around the pipe and are then blasted by the tide at the sea wall, causing it damage.

The town’s community council has long voiced concerns over the issue and claims houses overlooking the iconic West Beach are “in danger”.

North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) contacted Scottish Water over the issue and the company’s response was read out at a NBCC meeting last week.

A letter from Brian Lironi, director of corporate affairs, said: “We are not able to re-lay this section of pipe. However, following an inspection of it, we plan to carry out some work on the casing around the laterals and raised manhole columns.

“This work will take place outside of the bathing season when the laterals are more exposed and the beach is less busy. This should help to improve the aesthetic of the pipe.”

The letter added: “On the point of erosion, we do not believe our pipe is to blame for this. With that said, I am asking for this to be looked at in more detail as it is important that we take an evidence-led approach. This will not happen during the bathing season.”

Mr Lironi said the community council would be kept informed of any developments.

Spring 2018 was not the first time that severe weather saw the sewage pipe badly exposed. The pipe was clearly visible in the aftermath of storms in December 2010 and it took many, many months before the tides re-covered it with sand.