New parking restrictions and speed limits were among the traffic measures approved at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
A number of new and amended Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) received approval, including prohibitions on waiting, loading and unloading, and one-way road restrictions.
As part of the approved safety access improvements works to North Berwick High Street, an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) was approved to prohibit parking on the High Street, North Berwick, from the junction at Quality Street to the junction at Market Place in a bid to improve safety. Lowered kerbs will be introduced alongside dedicated areas for the loading/unloading of goods and the drop-off/pick-up of blue badge holders to improve safe access on the widened road.
The High Street parking restrictions will be implemented under an ETRO as it will allow the council to monitor the proposals in practice and allow for public feedback and engagement as people experience the measures on the ground. An ETRO can only remain in place for 18 months with an option to make the proposals permanent under a TRO.
A temporary TRO making Market Place a one-way road, which was introduced for public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, was also made permanent.
Safer and more attractive
Sustrans, in partnership with East Lothian Council, is providing a safer and more attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians travelling to and from the east side of Haddington via Brae Heads Loan using the existing NCN 76 cycle route. An 18-month experimental speed limit of 40mph was introduced in December 2023 and Cabinet agreed to make that permanent.
The existing 40mph speed limit on the A6093 at Letham, Haddington, will be reduced to 30mph under a planning requirement due to the new housing development.
A 30mph speed limit was introduced on the B6363 Coal Road for a new housing development in Longniddry. A 40mph buffer limit in advance of the 30mph limit will now be introduced for north-bound traffic to gradually decrease speeds after receiving approval.
The existing 30mph speed limit on the A1087 Bowmont Terrace, Dunbar, will be extended southwards to include the length of the site frontage of the housing development site on land at Newtonlees Farm.
Community and business concerns
An existing 30mph will also be extended along the A199 west side of Macmerry to include the length of the site frontage of a new housing development.
Cllr John McMillan, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism said: “The Council has a responsibility to ensure that safe, accessible routes of travel are available to our local communities which recognise the needs of a range of road users, businesses and pedestrians.
“Many of the new and amended TROs approved at the Cabinet meeting are being introduced in response to community and business concerns.”
Full details are available to view on the East Lothian Council website here Agendas, reports and minutes | East Lothian Council