CONCERNS about traffic, road closures and parking in North Berwick during Fringe by the Sea have left a member of a community group in the town "angry".  

Thousands of people so far attended events at the Lodge Grounds during the festival, which came to an end on Sunday and featured entertainment from the likes of The Jacksons, Ash and Clive Myrie among many others. 

Last Tuesday, North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) met to discuss a number of issues surrounding the festival.

Members noted that the situation had improved from last year but believed that work still needed to be done.

The festival organisers later responded that they had met with members of the community council on numerous occasions, as well as engaging with many others in an effort to minimise disruption.

READ MORE: Fringe by the Sea: All road closures and parking restrictions

At last week's meeting, Kathryn Smith, secretary of NBCC, who lives close to the Lodge Grounds, spoke extensively on the issues. 

She said: "I will try and not personalise this but I am really angry about the whole thing. 

"Despite being urged to engage with the community while presenting their plans for Fringe by the Sea to the community in March, I do not believe they considered the impacts to the residents, the health centre or people on the neighbouring streets.

"Due to the confusion of where people can park safely, roads surrounding the festival have had an increase in illegal parking." 

And she added: "I do not believe they have thought this through very well." 

A concern was also raised about the signage that had been provided by the festival to direct drivers to places where they could park, as members noted that they were "hard" to read due to the font used. 

Community councillor Ian Watson said: "The signs they have provided are nice and blue but, if you are driving past, it would be very difficult to read them and that is a problem." 

A member of the community who attended the meeting but wished to remain anonymous said: "The high school's car park is open but I haven't seen any signage directing people from St Baldred's Road there, I don't think the dots have been joined up.

"However, if you go onto the council's website and Fringe by the Sea's site, it does note you can park at the high school car park but the signs should be more official to let people know where to go."

The community council also received a letter from PC Neil Whittingham, who is currently serving as community beat officer for the town.

The letter noted: "We have had dedicated officers assigned to the event over the first three days; there have been no calls regarding any anti-social behaviour or any offences linked to the event.

"I am aware that issues have been raised in relation to parking issues caused by an increase in traffic; this will be for East Lothian Council parking attendants to address in the first instance.

"I will, however, make officers who are working at the event aware of these concerns."

East Lothian Council had previously announced road closures and parking restrictions for the duration of the festival, including that St Baldred’s Crescent would be closed to traffic, with parking restrictions on both sides of the road.

They also announced parking restrictions on both sides of St Baldred’s Road from number 52 to the junction with East Road, along with parking restrictions for Lady Jane Road, between St Baldred’s Road and Brodie Avenue. 

In a statement, the organisers of Fringe by the Sea said: "We spend all year working with the council, the police and the community council in order to have as little disruption to North Berwick whilst bringing together the festival.

"We attend many community council meetings and take on board any concerns of the local residents. We have posted hundreds of letters to properties close to the Lodge Grounds and we are open to anyone who wants to communicate with us.

"Over the past week, we have had one noise complaint and the police have said that we were within the legal limit allowed.

"We like to think that our 10 days in August bring so much to North Berwick - great music, fantastic guests, as well as a general feeling of a real community spirit throughout the town."