ALMOST three years ago, COP26 in Glasgow sent out a clear message: we must act as quickly as possible to combat climate change.

Recycling our rubbish, switching to electric cars and planting trees were all advised, but we needed to go further and stop using fossil fuels such as coal and oil. If we don’t, flooding may come to “a place near you”.

To mitigate the impact of the predicted coastal erosion and flooding, the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme believes such a project is necessary in Musselburgh.

Nevertheless, there has been strong opposition among the local population.

It is a waste of money, the protection wall is too high, trees will be cut down and, if the project goes ahead, it will bring chaos to the lives of locals and could be bad for business and the local housing market, it has been said.

READ MORE: First look at how proposed Musselburgh flood defences could look

Yet other towns across Britain have managed to install flood defences without too much upheaval. Even the mighty London managed to install such defences and still is the thriving metropolis it always was.

This scheme was always going to be a difficult sell in such a politically divided town as Musselburgh. Walkers, runners, cyclists and wheelchair users worry that the scheme will not cater for their needs, while those who live on higher and safer ground, or are more sceptical towards global warming, believe that floods in Musselburgh could be years and years away, if at all.

I’m no expert but I do like the idea that the River Esk could be dredged and lagoons built further upstream to cater for any excess flood water. I get the aforementioned problems, but I believe they can be overcome.

When the government will pay the lion’s share of the cost, leaving taxpayers to find the rest, this will not be easy for many taxpayers to bear, considering what Westminster can fritter billions and billions of pounds on.

Nevertheless, Musselburgh will look all the better with its new bridges and the rest; but, most of all, if the scheme goes ahead, those who supported it will feel all the better because they did it for the benefit of all.

Jack Fraser

Clayknowes Drive

Musselburgh