WORK on a car park which will provide nearly 50 new spaces for vehicles is due to restart “shortly”.

Building work on the car park between Foresters Park and Lindores Drive was halted earlier this year following the discovery of old building materials, including asbestos cement.

Specialist teams are due to start on the site to contain and remove the materials, which will allow the car park works to restart.

Tom Reid, East Lothian Council’s head of infrastructure, was keen to see work on the £314,000 project get under way again.

He said: “Whilst this unforeseen work will have an impact on the project’s timescale, East Lothian Council is working with service users and community groups to ensure a level of access to the facilities remains in place.

“It is expected that the full project will now be completed in the summer.”

One of Foresters Park’s main users, Tranent Colts, host a tournament on June 1 and site visits are being arranged this month to ensure that the construction works do not impact on the event’s preparations and hosting.

The new car park will provide 46 additional spaces and a motorcycle area which will be accessible to visitors to the town.

The works also include the upgrading of the existing parking provision, the creation of an additional Blue Badge holder accessibility space – with two already on site – three spaces for minibuses, two dedicated coach spaces and a new turning area.

Sharon Saunders, the council’s head of communities and partnerships, felt the car park would bring a number of benefits.

She said: “The creation of an improved and extended car park at Foresters Park will not only provide additional spaces for Tranent Juniors during match days but also add much-needed town centre parking for our residents and visitors.

“The reconfiguration will also help existing facility users such as the local community football club. The opportunity to park within the town centre will hopefully help rejuvenate High Street and encourage local businesses to attract customers.”