Here's how a revamped North Berwick High Street could look

If approved, there would be no parking between the junctions of Market Place and Quality Street, with the addition of double yellow lines on both sides of High Street.

The existing loading bays outside Nisa and Turnbull's Home Hardware would remain.

The plans do indicate these could be used for 'drop-off' as well with access also available to blue badge holders.

The proposal in full

Additionally, paved areas for pedestrians would be extended throughout the east end of the main street – doubling the pavement area in some spots.

The High Street carriageway between Market Place and Quality Street would be 3.7m wide and incorporate 60mm kerbs on either side of the street.

Thin metal bollards would also be present at four metre intervals along much of the street with the possible optional addition of bike racks.

Tactile pavement elements have also been added at numerous points to aid pedestrian crossing.

Already pedestrianised areas – such as those at the Lighthouse Corner and outside Rock & Bird – are also set to be extended.

The road level will also be raised at two sections – at the junction with Quality Street and the junction with Market Place, ending outside Greggs – with a new surface made of beige setts.

The proposals outlined in the report are set to be raised at Tuesday's East Lothian Council meeting for approval.

They come in the wake of feedback received from a consultation exercise last year which, say the council, found that "65 per cent [of respondents] supported or strongly supported changes" to improve safety and accessibility.

Engagement with the local community for more than 60 years had "highlighted concerns and issues over road safety for pedestrians and cyclists and equality of access for people with impaired mobility", stressed the council.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson added: “Access and safety issues around parts of North Berwick High Street have been expressed over many years including during extensive community consultation during the North Berwick Charrette in 2017 which identified a number of changes that could be made to improve the High Street.

"Continued consultation has led to draft proposals for the High Street to be discussed at the forthcoming full council meeting.”

Susan, Oliver, co-chair of North Berwick Business Association, was concerned how the proposals might impact the future of retailers on the town's High Street.

She said: "This really is another blow for retailers in the town centre in North Berwick to be able to deliver their services to the community.

"This will really impact on the businesses at that end who need access for heavy deliveries – the butcher, hardware store, post office, pet shop, furniture shop and bakers.

"I don't know what the undertakers will do either for processions departing from their office. After yesterday's edict about parking [charges], now this about the east end, it is just another straw added to break us.

"Many retailers are still recovering from the Covid pandemic and indeed paying off debt as a result.

"The rates fiasco of pay now and we will let you know how much you will be charged at the back end of the year, increased wages, unstable energy costs and cost of living impact creates a perfect storm for business closures.

"East Lothian Council have such a blinkered vision for the future of North Berwick and the county."

North Berwick Community Council also confirmed that they would be holding an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the plans – alongside the planned parking charges – in anticipation of Tuesday's full council meeting.

Alternative plans were put forward last year by council officials to upgrade the High Street, but were withdrawn following community backlash.

READ MORE: Controversial plans for bollard 'segregators' on North Berwick High Street scrapped due to objections

These previous plans proposed the installation of bollard style "segregators" along the same stretch of High Street. These plans also removed all parking, but did not alter pavement and pedestrianised areas like the new proposals would.