A North Berwick councillor has voiced support for parking charges in the town, stressing that action needs to be taken now.

Liz Allan spoke at a meeting of the North Berwick SNP branch alongside East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan and Young Scots for Independence activist Luke Smith.

Town centre parking charge plans were approved by East Lothian Council at its April meeting.

The proposals – the biggest shake-up in town centre parking for decades – would see the introduction of a variety of parking charges across the town that would affect both visitors and residents.

On-street parking charges – varying from 50p to £1 per 30-minute period – from 8.30am to 6pm, seven days a week, all year round, are set to be introduced at controlled parking zones (CPZs) throughout the town, aimed at improving traffic flow.

Parking permits for residents in certain streets would also be required at a cost of £40.

The plans have been criticised by community groups, with North Berwick Community Council starting a petition to demonstrate public opposition to the scheme.

Members of North Berwick Business Association said that local traders were “devastated” by the decision by SNP, Labour and Green councillors to approve the change.

Speaking at the SNP branch meeting, Ms Allan acknowledged the strength of feeling locally regarding the parking issue but strongly believed that action had to be taken now. She said: “Is parking a privilege, or a right?

“I get angry emails and phone calls about arguments that began in the 1960s.

“We need to take action, and later modify it, rather than keep kicking it into the long grass.”

Councillor Allan added that the “monster” East Lothian Council website made it hard to find and absorb all the exhaustive parking consultations detailed online.