CONCERNS have been raised that history could repeat itself and part of a coastal street in Dunbar could collapse during the winter.

Emergency repairs were carried out 12 months ago after crashing waves created a sinkhole “the size of a delivery van” on Lamer Street, which runs alongside the town’s East Beach.

Calls have been made for repairs to be made to the coastal defences, which were breached last year.

However, with repairs yet to be carried out, fears have been aired that similar stormy weather could result in further damage to the road.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of Dunbar Community Council, said that conversations had taken place between Dunbar Shore and Harbour Neighbourhood Group, and East Lothian Council.

READ MORE: Dunbar: Repair work ongoing to repair Lamer Street sinkhole

She said: “Our ongoing concern is following November’s storm, the seawall was breached again and the sea defence did not offer any defence to the wall.”

Mrs Swan feared that, unless there was a “a significant review” of the East Beach, then a similar storm could cause further damage to the area.

Protection works to the Lamer Street seawall were carried out in 2020.

At that time, a breakwater was introduced, an existing groyne was refurbished and rock armour was put in place.

Discussions have also taken place with East Lothian Council with a view to further work being carried out to protect the area, which was once a magnet for tourists.

However, estimates for work, depending on the scale of work carried out, ranged from about £500,000 to £9 million.

READ MORE: Dunbar: Hole 'the size of a delivery van' left in Lamer Street

In North Berwick, damage to the wall at the town’s harbour in storms last autumn cost more than £200,000 to repair.

A large portion of that money came from North Berwick Trust, while the town’s harbour trust also raised funds.

Mrs Swan acknowledged that East Lothian Council was cash-strapped and said: “We don’t envy them at all.

“They are literally between a rock and a hard place but they have to decide whether they find the money to enhance the defences or wait to be reactive when a section of the road closes.

“Last time, it was big enough for a car.

“It is just through good fortune there was not a car on that piece of the road at the time.

“We are anxious.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We are at the very early stages of delivering a Coastal Change Adaptation Plan to cover East Lothian’s coastline.

“Resourcing for this has just been funded by the Scottish Government. 

“This will enable us to assess the risks to our coastline and communities, and will determine the recommendations on what actions could be put in place to provide further protection in future, if the national funding is made available.”