ACCUSATIONS of a “piecemeal approach” to speeding have been thrown at East Lothian Council after a recent community and police partnership (CAPP) meeting.

The Preston, Seton and Gosford (PSG) CAPP meeting initially raised a request for a review of speed limits and traffic calming options on the roads in the ward area in June, paying particular attention to the coastal road heading east out of Port Seton.

The CAPP had alleged that, despite intimating that representatives would attend, the council’s Road Safety Working Group (RSWG) failed to show at a June CAPP meeting, though CAPP members were invited along to a RSWG meeting that month.

After this meeting was then cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions, the CAPP representatives said that they were not subsequently invited to the rescheduled meeting and had to press for feedback from it.

Iain Stewart, chair of PSG CAPP said: “At the CAPP meeting in June, local people from Port Seton and Cockenzie made a compelling case for a reduction in the speed limit on the coast road along from Seton Sands following a tragic accident and this was supported by the police and local councillors.

“It was agreed that this should be raised with the Road Safety Working Group which was meeting the following week.

“For our representatives not to be advised of the re-arranged meeting following the cancellation of the scheduled meeting is unacceptable.”

At last month’s CAPP meeting, a call was again made by Brian Weddell, chairman of Prestonpans Community Council, for a review of the speed limits on the main roads in Prestonpans and Cockenzie and Port Seton, resulting in the drafting of a letter to East Lothian Council’s chief executive Angela Leitch.

Mr Weddell said: “We are regularly hearing complaints from local people about the speed of traffic and it seems the council are taking a piecemeal approach to the speed limits.

“We don’t want to see another fatality or serious road accident before action is taken to try and reduce the speed of cars on the surrounding roads.”

A council spokesperson said: “Speeding and speed-reducing measures are often considered by the group alongside other subjects.

“While speeding is an enforcement matter for the police, all requests for changes to speed limits are considered in line with the council’s speed limit policy.

“This outlines how we determine appropriate speed limits and ensure consistency in line with current Government recommendations and traffic guidance.

“Any request to change limits are decided by councillors using assessment and speed data and following community consultation.

“Recent correspondence has highlighted confusion over meeting dates and attendance. We look forward to discussing the issues raised by the individuals directly at a suitable forum.”