FEARS have been raised that a proposed bike shelter near a newly opened railway station platform could attract underage drinking.

Plans for a new footpath linking the Hallhill area of Dunbar to the southern platform at the town’s railway station were revealed shortly before Christmas.

Included within the proposals was the creation of a bike shelter, with room for 20 bicycles.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the community council, felt that the bike shelter was too small if East Lothian Council was trying to encourage people to leave their cars at home and relieve parking issues in other areas of the town.

The plans have been recommended for approval but will be considered by East Lothian Council’s planning committee, after they were called in by ward councillors Sue Kempson and Norman Hampshire.

Three residents attended Dunbar Community Council’s meeting last Monday evening to outline their concerns over the proposals.

One woman said: “Already, we have got the children’s playground there, which is a focus for anti-social behaviour at night.

“An extra shelter for underage drinking, which a bike shelter will become, does not sound a good idea.”

Further concerns were outlined that commuters using the southern platform for trains heading to Edinburgh could first park their cars on neighbouring streets, such as Retreat Crescent and Salisbury Walk.

Mrs Swan described a proposed pedestrian link to the new platform, which opened in December, as “essential”.

Network Rail engineers worked for more than six months to create the £13 million second platform, which is currently accessed from the northern side by a footbridge.

Mr Hampshire, who was at the community council meeting, is convener of the local authority’s planning committee, which will discuss the proposals. He said: “The access planned is at the end of the main cycle route between Ashfield and the Hallhill area. It does link the main path network.

“I live on Salisbury Walk and have an interest in the fact people could use neighbouring streets as a car park or pick-up and drop-off points.

“Council officers are aware of the issues but rather than come in with restrictions, it is better to design access and see if there are issues of people using neighbouring streets.”

Mr Hampshire highlighted there were restrictions in place on residential streets near Berwick-upon-Tweed’s railway station. Similar moves could be made by East Lothian Council to prevent vehicles being left by people using trains in Dunbar.