Progress is being made with the implementation of measures to improve the management of parking in North Berwick town centre.
Following significant public engagement, proposals were approved at December’s meeting of East Lothian Council. This included the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones, permits for residents, time restrictions and charges for parking on some streets and car parks.
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, whilst encouraging sustainable travel.
A phased approach is being taken to the introduction of the measures in the coming months.
Key points
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, the measures allow for free parking up to 45 minutes (previously increased from 30 minutes). Parking for up to 75 minutes on High Street will cost £1, while there will 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’s Controlled Parking Zones, parking will cost 50p for 30 minutes.
At the Haugh and Sewage Works, parking up to 60 minutes will cost 50p. It will 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 will be free of charge but restricted to users of the facilities only. Parking outwith the Controlled Parking Zones will remain free, including the car park at the Recreation Park.
Day visitor permits for the use of family, friends and trades people visiting residents will also be introduced, and weekly permits for short term let properties. Permits for the RNLI will also be available, as well as healthcare worker permits.
Publication of orders
To implement the measures, four traffic regulation orders require to be published. The first three of these relate to changes to off-street parking, the Sewage Works and Haugh and for the museum and community centre. These three orders have now been published and are expected to take effect from 7 April, 2025.
The fourth order relates to the changes to on-street parking. This is expected to be published at a slightly later date, with the changes then coming into effect from early June. Further information on this will be confirmed in due course.
Mitigations
In response to public and stakeholder engagement on the proposals, a number of mitigations were made to the proposed measures and agreed to at December’s council meeting. These include:
- 15 minutes free parking within Glebe car park to allow drop off and pick up at the nursery on St. Andrews Street
- Free parking in Lodge (East Road), Imperial (Quality Street) and Glebe (St. Andrews Street) car park from the last Sunday October to the last Sunday in March annually
- Introduce the registration of vehicles to allow church goers to use the community centre car park on Sundays when no activities are held at the community centre
- Remove the charged parking spaces and waiting restrictions proposals in Glasclune Gardens and Greenhead Road
- Applying parking charges on Westgate which are the same as High Street
- Extend the High Street non-chargeable hours 8:30-10:00am and remove the charge after 4pm Monday to Saturday, which was a request from the Business Association. This means that charges here will apply from 10-4pm Monday to Saturday, which is a shorter period of time than previously proposed
- Permitting owners of motor caravans who reside within a Controlled Parking Zone to have a residents parking permit
A review of the impacts and operation of the four Traffic Regulation Orders is to be provided to elected members within a year of being implemented. The review will include a summary of what has gone well, anything that has not, and recommendations to address and approve any issues raised.
Cllr John McMillan, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said:
“The changes agreed at December’s council meeting are focused on addressing many of the challenges associated with parking in North Berwick, where demand for parking spaces can be high, particularly during busy periods. Our priority is to make it easier for people to park by increasing the turnover of available spaces in the town centre. By providing easier access to the town centre for purposes such as shopping, we hope to see increased footfall within local businesses.
“As previously highlighted, a number of changes were made to the original proposals, based on public feedback as well as key stakeholders such as the North Berwick Business Association, and these were agreed to at the December council meeting.
“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.
“The changes we are making will also support enhancing the environment, promoting active travel, improving safety through better enforcement and encouraging use of public transport.”
The orders can be viewed online: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1a48fd752ddc4057ac4ffb1f1d3feb49
https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/
Copies can also be viewed in North Berwick Museum/Library, North Berwick Community Centre, Gullane Library and at John Muir House, Haddington from 29 January.
The report presented to December's meeting of East Lothian Council, which asked elected members to approve the making of traffic regulation orders, can be viewed online (item 6).