Minister vows to seek funding for harbour wall repairs

ENVIRONMENT Minister Paul Wheelhouse has vowed to look at what funding might be available to help repair North Berwick harbour after last weekend’s storms.

He told East Lothian Labour MSP Iain Gray the Bellwin scheme to help councils deal with weather damage was not suitable for large capital projects. But he said: “I will be happy to look at what is possible under existing capital funding through local authorities.”

Mr Gray said: “My main concern is that East Lothian Council gets some financial support from the Scottish Government, not just to patch up the sea wall, but for a long-term solution.

“That means replacing the sea boulders, which proved unable to stop the surge which destroyed so many vessels.

“The Harbour Trust Association have done the feasibility work and know what is needed. But the council’s funding is already stretched, and they need some extra support.”