WIDENING the pavement at a busy junction in Dunbar will “cause even more chaos”, a town community councillor fears.

East Lothian Council started work on Belhaven Road at its junction with Summerfield Road last week.

The scheme will see a footpath built out onto Belhaven Road, opposite Belhaven Parish Church and the entrance to the neighbouring Belhaven Hill School.

However, questions as to whether the work was necessary were raised by members of Dunbar Community Council, who also criticised the local authority for not informing people that work was due to start.

Stuart Cameron, a member of the community council, lives nearby and told the group’s meeting last Monday that the works would “cause utter traffic chaos”.

He said: “I witness it on a daily basis. I know how bad it can be if the A1 is closed – we get all the lorries coming through here.

“If it was to be shut during the day, they are coming up there during school time, emergency vehicles can be trying to get access to Southfield Court.

“We are just concerned this extension here is going to cause even more chaos.

“It is bad enough without extended pavements.”

Suggestions were made that improvements could be carried out in the area simply by putting double yellow lines in place to stop inconsiderate parking.

The scheme received a warmer reaction from fellow community councillor Mark James.

He noted that it could slow vehicles down and also improve conditions for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the town on the local authority and is also leader of the council, was at the meeting.

He said: “It has been identified that a lot of people walk round the area – the schools, the church.

“This pavement needs to be increased in width to allow safer movement of pedestrians.

“It might make it more difficult for cars but, as long as cars use the junction properly, they should be able to manage it.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council told the Courier that the scheme met criteria to provide additional space for people “congregating at the crossing and to make it easier to cross the road at this point”.

They said: “It will also provide the additional benefit to reduce traffic speeds on Belhaven Road and thereby support walking and cycling. We have been able to use central government funding (the Cycling, Walking, Safer Routes Grant) to implement it.

“The works will improve safety at this busy junction, particularly for pupils walking to the primary and secondary schools.

“Additionally, drivers looking to exit Summerfield Road will have improved visibility, and Belhaven Road will be narrowed, resulting in reduced vehicle speeds.

“Parking opportunities outside the church will be unaffected.”