Simplified proposals to improve the management of parking in North Berwick have been published, with members of the community being given the opportunity to comment.
The proposals aim to increase the turnover of parking spaces to make it easier for people to park and access town centre businesses and amenities during busy periods, as well as enhancing the environment and making the town centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Proposals include the introduction of controlled parking zones, permits for residents, time restrictions and charges for parking on some streets and in some car parks.
Engagement
East Lothian Council has been engaging extensively on parking management improvements in North Berwick for some time, with significant public feedback being provided through previous consultation and in response to orders published last August.
At a Council meeting in February, elected members approved a recommendation for officers to bring forward new Traffic Regulation Orders, with simplified proposals taking account of objections. In simplifying the proposals, officers looked to draw a distinction between on and off street parking, as well as addressing motorhome parking provision.
A key change is that four separate Orders have now been published, to simplify the presentation of the proposals which were previously combined into one Order. The introduction of day visitor permits for residents use for family and friends visiting and weekly permits for short term let properties is proposed. Visitor permits could be used to allow visiting trades people to park without a restriction on the length of their stay. Permits for the RNLI are also proposed, as well as Healthcare worker permits to allow them to undertake their essential work without fear of penalty. We have also added additional on street locations where people can park all day for a maximum charge of £5.
A number of other proposals remain unchanged. Time limits and charges vary due to different parking demands. It is recognised that many trips into the town centre are very short. On High Street, there is free parking up to 45 minutes (previously increased from 30 minutes). Parking for up to 75 minutes on High Street would cost £1, while there would be a £2 charge here for parking up to a maximum of 90 minutes. This is to incentivise turn-over of parking spaces. In other locations within the town centre Controlled Parking Zones, parking costs 50p for 30 minutes up to a maximum of six hours.
At the Haugh and sewage works, parking up to 60 minutes would cost 50p. It would then be 50p for each 30 minutes thereafter up to eight hours (or £15 up to 24 hours). Parking at the community centre and museum/library is free of charge but restricted to users of the facilities only. Parking outwith the Controlled Parking Zones would remain free, including the car park at the Recreation Park.
Cllr John McMillan, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said:
“Demand for parking spaces in North Berwick and East Lothian town centres can be high and it is often, particularly during busy periods, difficult for people to find a space.
“We have been keen to increase the turnover of parking spaces so that people benefit from easier access to town centres and their surroundings, increasing business footfall in the process.
“We also want to improve parking management alongside making our the town centres safer, enhancing the environment, promoting active travel and encouraging use of public transport.
“Most other council areas in Scotland already have a form of town centre parking charges and it is clear that incorporating charges, alongside other restrictions and residents parking, is a necessary part of improved parking management in North Berwick and East Lothian.
“The North Berwick Business Association requested lengthening the proposed free charge period of 30 minutes to 90 minutes on the High Street. Data from parking management schemes elsewhere indicate a shorter time period for parking increases turn-over of spaces and so also increases availability. However, taking views on this into account, the proposals increased the free charge period from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
“We have also responded to concerns about the lack of residents’ parking within Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and so are removing designated residents’ only spaces and combining those with on street paid spaces which will greatly increase parking space availability. Another concern was that the proposed maximum length of stay within CPZs was too short. The recommendation is to increase the proposed five hours to six hours in the west area and from four hours to five hours in off street car parks.”
Next steps
There is now an opportunity for people to comment on the simplified proposals and raise any objections. The closing date is 29 September.
A copy of the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders, Schedules, and plans showing the extent of the restrictions and the statement of reasons for making the Orders can be viewed online.
There is also a frequently asked question and ‘you said, we did’ document - which highlights changes made in response to earlier feedback.
Hard copies of the information are available at the following locations:
- Reception, John Muir House, Brewery Park, Haddington
- North Berwick Community Centre – Law Road
- North Berwick Library – School Road
- North Berwick Health Centre – St Baldred’s Road
- Gullane Library – East Links Road
- Gullane Health Centre – Hamilton Road
The documents will also be available at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk. Anyone may before expiry of the period noted above object to the making of the Order. Any objection must be in writing and must specify the grounds thereof and should be addressed to:
- North Berwick Parking Management TRO, Asset and Regulatory Manager, Road Services, Penston House, Macmerry EH33 1EX.
- Or by email to parkingconsultations@eastlothian.gov.uk by 29 September 2024.