Tranent parking consultation launched

The proposals being put forward are focused on making it easier for residents and visitors to park as well as encouraging greater turnover of parking spaces to provide better access for all to businesses and services.

A questionnaire is available for those wishing to respond to the consultation, while a drop-in event is also planned for Thursday, 1 May (further details below).

Engagement has taken place with the community council and area partnership to consider how best to address Tranent parking challenges. This has identified issues such as:

• Concerns over residential areas being used by onward commuters, double yellow lines being ignored and vehicles blocking bus stops
• A lack of enforcement throughout the town
• Infrequent turnover of parking spaces leading to a reduced number of parking options for shopping and visitors to Tranent
• High traffic volumes, particularly on A199 Edinburgh Road near Polson Park; pedestrian safety concerns on Church Street due to vehicles parking on the footway and business customers parking in residential areas on Elphinstone Road.
• Dangerous parking practices around schools and drop-off areas leading to pupil, teacher and driver safety concerns.

‘Explore solutions’

Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said:

“We are keen to address challenges associated with parking in many of our town centres. Demand for parking can be high, particularly during peak periods.

“We want to work with the local community to explore solutions which increase the availability of parking spaces in the town centre, making it easier for people to access local shops and businesses.  

“New approaches to parking management can also help to protect and enhance the environment whilst supporting provision for active travel and public transport and enhancing safety.

“While no decisions on these measures have been taken, consulting on possible ways forward will help us address the current problems we face with parking whilst supporting the local economy and enhancing the environment. I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say on the proposals.”

Proposals

Based on engagements to date, proposals for Tranent are based around solutions such as:

• The introduction of controlled parking where appropriate - areas would be designated as short, medium or long-stay parking areas
• These parking areas would offer a limited period of FREE parking time.  Once this time has elapsed, a charge will be applied 
• The introduction of resident parking permits. These permits would allow unlimited parking throughout the day without a daily charge. However, such a solution would likely have an annual fee
• Greater enforcement of Tranent’s parking regulations. This should lead to a higher turnover of parking spaces, positively impacting the local economy by providing more parking options for shoppers and visitors. Additionally, better enforcement would improve pedestrian safety by reducing instances of illegal parking.

The car parks at Coal Neuk (The Butts) and Balfour Square (Foresters Park) would be designated for long stay parking.

Have your say

The consultation runs for six weeks from 22 April until 3 June. You can complete the questionnaire online; alternatively, hard copies will be available at Tranent and Ormiston libraries. 

Any hard copies of the questionnaire can be handed in at the libraries or posted to:

Tranent Parking Management Consultation, Asset and Regulatory Manager, Penston House, Macmerry, EH33 1EX.  

Responses and comments from the questionnaire will be used as a basis to draft Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for Tranent, which will be consulted on formally in the Autumn.  

If you have any questions regarding the consultation, please email Tranentparking@eastlothian.gov.uk

Drop-in event

People can also attend a drop-in event to provide feedback:

Venue: The Fraser Centre, 3a Winton Place, Tranent, EH33 1AF

Date: Thursday, 1 May

Times: 2pm-4.30pm and 6pm-8.30pm

Background

The council’s 2018 Local Transport Strategy and Parking Management Strategy highlights providing appropriate parking facilities that support the economic, environmental and accessibility requirements of towns in East Lothian.

At a council meeting earlier in 2022, it was agreed that consultation would take place consider and develop options around possible parking measures in town centres. The initial focus was on North Berwick, where consultation has already taken place regarding measures to improve town centre parking management. At the December 2024 meeting of East Lothian Council, following significant engagement with the community over a number of years, elected members approved plans for controlled parking zones, permits for residents, time restrictions and charges for parking on some streets and car parks in North Berwick. These measures will be introduced in the coming months.

Separate consultations for Haddington, Musselburgh, Dunbar and Prestonpans will take place in due course.