FRUSTRATED homeowners have called for a path linking a new development with Dunbar’s schools to be finished – nearly two years after it was opened.

A footpath connecting Dempster Place to Spott Road was created to allow residents a direct route to Dunbar’s Asda store, garden centre and on to Hallhill.

The majority of the path is tarred, with the exception of a small section directly under the East Coast Main Line.

Homeowners have been asking for months for the 10m-long section of path to be surfaced.

Lindsay Munro, an English teacher at Ross High School in Tranent, was “shocked” that the path was yet to be finished.

The mum-of-one said: “It has been going on for a very long time.

“I spoke to East Lothian Council and they said they were going to put gravel in months ago and it has not been done.

“I was there last week and there are massive puddles, lots of mud, sizeable rocks and now, with the colder weather, you have got icy conditions.

“It is really hard going and I’ve got to get my partner or neighbour to carry the buggy over – if you are on your own, you cannot do that.”

Iain McDonald, who lives on Dempster Place, confirmed that the path had been opened in the spring of 2019. Since then, the small section under the railway has remained untarred.

He said: “It is still a quagmire. It is still a farm road and more and more kids were going along it to and from school.”

The path is likely to be used more and more, with the eastern side of the town continuing to expand.

East Lothian Courier:

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of Dunbar Community Council, was frustrated at the lack of progress and called for the path to be finished.

She highlighted the issue at the group’s meeting and said: “We are talking about a really inexpensive piece of work.

“We are talking about type one hardcore and topping. Can we just get that path done?”

As well as the development off Bowmont Terrace, a further 100 homes have been given planning permission for a neighbouring site, which includes a new cemetery.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council confirmed that there were plans to add a temporary surface to the remaining section of the path.

She said: “We are waiting on confirmation from Network Rail that a temporary surface can be placed prior to a fully compliant construction, which does take time.

“It is expected that this will be agreed shortly.”