Concerns have again been raised regarding the potential disruption to nearby residents caused by Fringe by the Sea (FBTS) in North Berwick.

The festival – which this year will be held from August 2 to 11 and feature big names including The Jacksons, The Stranglers and Richard E Grant – is mainly based at the town’s Lodge Grounds and attracts thousands of revellers each year.

However, the large influx of visitors has caused problems for residents living nearby, said some North Berwick community councillors at the group’s meeting last month.

Members highlighted the difficulties residents experienced parking on St Baldred’s Road during the festival, and problems with residents’ access to St Baldred’s Crescent.

Rory Steel, festival director, and Jackie Shuttleworth, general manager of the festival, attended the meeting to hear the concerns.

George Johnstone, group member, said: “The last three years have been a disgrace – it’s a whole week of disruption for the town.

“There’s a big concern for residents who are leaving the house for work at 8am and then unable to park outside their own homes once they get back.”

Concerns were also raised about the festival’s impact on the Lodge Grounds, with members claiming that the park was not left in an acceptable condition by event organisers.

Bill Macnair, group member, said: “The grass area was bad. If the condition it was left in met the standards required, then the standards are very low.

“It is a fantastic festival but this lack of care falls short. We need to have standards raised, we need to raise the game a bit.”

However, Mr Steel insisted that festival organisers did the required work to restore the field to the best standard possible.

He said: “I’m not sure what we can do about the grass; last year we unfortunately had some rather bad weather, which didn’t help.

“Our work to restore the field met council standards, and we are continually in contact with East Lothian Council about how we can do better.”

Mr Steel said that discussions continued about how to better improve road access for residents.

He added: “The last thing we want is disruption for residents. I know the festival has an impact but it is a small price to pay for what it brings to the town.”

Members suggested that festival visitor access should be granted to the car park at nearby North Berwick High School, as the festival is held outside school term.

Mr Steel said that was something that would be discussed with East Lothian Council.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “To use the car park at North Berwick High, the organisers would need to contact FES, who manage the secondary schools on behalf of the council.

“Last year, the Lodge Grounds were left in very good condition by Fringe by the Sea.

“There was one area at the top where there were indentations due to the wet weather but they purchased sand to aid recovery.

“An ‘acceptable condition’ is one in which only minor impacts result that would naturally recover and at no cost to the council.

“FBTS have been very good undertaking works and instructions both pre and post event.”

The economic impact report (EIR) for last year’s Fringe by the Sea, undertaken by MKA Economics, found that the net additional impact of visitor spend during the festival’s 10 days was in the region of £7,313,884.

It attracted a total number of 74,750 visitors.