River Tyne exercise stations in Haddington to be removed

Discussions took place surrounding the future of the green metal bars beside the River Tyne in Haddington at the end of last year.

Now, after consultation with Haddington’s community council, East Lothian Council has agreed to remove the exercise stations – with the possibility of installing some in Neilson Park instead.

A spokeswoman for the local authority said: “The Tyne walkway exercise stations were erected in early 2016, following discussions with local stakeholders, including Haddington and District Community Council and Friends of the River Tyne group, to provide opportunities for people to improve their physical activity levels, with support from the Ageing Well initiative and local health professionals.

“The use of these stations has continued to be monitored and it has been agreed to remove them from current locations with a view to potentially relocating some within Neilson Park or at East Lothian Community Hospital.”

Last November, community councillors questioned the future of the stations, which were described as “eyesores”.

The 10 stations – a series of basic metal structures – were created, stretching from The Maltings to The Sands, with funding coming from Paths for All, Ageing Well and the community council.

Shortly before Christmas, the community council was asked to vote on whether the stations had a future beside Haddington’s river. Unanimously, they agreed the stations should be removed.

Chris McEwan, chairman of the group, said: “The feelings from the public are the majority of them are thinking the exercise stations are a waste of time and effort.

“There are a few people who have used them but the majority are saying to remove them.”

Members highlighted that the exercise stations that were installed did not match what had originally been suggested five years ago.

Each station along the route is supposed to have an A3 sign, with a drawing and text explaining how to use the equipment.

However, when they were revealed, a number of members of public were unimpressed with the new additions.

They were described as “absurd” and “ugly”, as well as “defacing the natural beauty of the landscape”.

A sheet of paper was tied to a tree near the town’s Aubigny Sports Centre urging members of the public to contact East Lothian Council so that the “ill-judged project” be removed.

Mr McEwan highlighted that the idea of moving them to Neilson Park had also been suggested.

He questioned how users of the park, which is home to the town’s cricket, rugby and tennis clubs, would feel about the exercise stations being introduced.

Fellow community councillor Therese Laing highlighted that exercise stations had found success elsewhere.

She said: “We used them in Germany years ago and it was great fun.

“They were different things, not just the bars.

“There is a park in Edinburgh with quite exciting ones but the ones round the Tyne are definitely not.”