Pedestrian access to the West Pier at Cockenzie Harbour has been prevented after damage was caused to the harbour wall.

Fencing has been erected in the area to prevent pedestrian access, with an investigation set to be carried out by council officers to assess the damage.

Images of the wall show damage to the area, including a hole in the stonework.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said it was not possible to carry out a full investigation until the tide was low.

It is not yet known when the damage occurred.

The spokesperson said: “Fencing has been erected to prevent pedestrian access onto the West Pier at Cockenzie Harbour whilst investigation work is carried out. Due to the current high tides, full investigation cannot be carried out at present to assess the level of damage.”

One resident, whose boat is located at the harbour, told the Courier that issues at the area were not a new occurrence.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I have been raising concerns about the harbour for a while.

“There is a worry that if the wall is not fixed then there could be damage to the boats.

“I think another big storm could cause the wall to completely come away and then we’d have a major problem.

“Issues at the harbour have been going on a while now. There is no electricity there, no CCTV either for the safety of boats.

“I pay about £250 in harbour fees each year and I don’t understand where this money goes.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said that harbour fees were a charge simply for mooring at the harbour and not for the upkeep of the area.