A petition opposing the proposed implementation of parking charges in North Berwick has been thrown out by East Lothian Council (ELC).

The local authority claimed that there were "procedural issues" with the petition; however, the chair of the town's community council has claimed the move is a "suppression" of residents' views.

While East Lothian Council did not publicly detail the "issues" that arose, Kenny Miller, chair of North Berwick Community Council, told the Courier that it was because the petition had "no lead contact" and that he was told they were "other ways to object", now that Traffic Regulation Orders for the scheme were published.

As a result, the petition was not forwarded to the council's petitions committee and was dismissed before its merits could be discussed in public. A second petition relating to proposed changes to the East End of the High Street was also rejected.

READ MORE: North Berwick: Frustrations expressed at proposed parking charges

Mr Miller took issue with the suggestion that there had been no lead contact provided alongside the document, stating that the petition was well publicised to have come from the community council and that he was contacted directly after submission and again when it was rejected.

He said: "This is a suppression of the views of the people of North Berwick."

More than 4,500 people signed the petition opposing the measures.

Protestors marched on the council's headquarters in Haddington last month to ceremonially hand over the petition, however council officials have now decided that it will not be considered.

READ MORE: North Berwick community march on council HQ to protest parking scheme

Mr Miller added that the group intending to make a complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) about the petition's dismissal.

The proposals put forward by East Lothian Council would see the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) across the town and the implementation of residents' parking permits among other measures.

READ MORE: North Berwick parking charges: concessions for churchgoers and golfers

This have been strongly opposed by groups throughout the town, with local business leaders claiming it could be the "death knell" for the town's independent High Street.

Susan Oliver, co-chair of North Berwick Business Association, shared her anger at East Lothian Council, claiming that it was searching for "miniscule reasons" to diminish the views of the local community.

She said: "North Berwick Business Association is stunned, shocked and angry at East Lothian Council's response to the petition submitted by North Berwick Community Council.

"This petition clearly gave East Lothian Council the message as to what the people and visitors to North Berwick think of their parking proposals.

"For ELC to say they don't know who submitted the petition is is such a lame reason to throw it out and discredit the signatories: the community they are meant to represent.

"The petition was handed to councillor Jeremy Findlay, representing ELC. Councillor Findlay has supported us right the way through this process so ELC are also discrediting one of their own elected councillors.

"Kenny Miller, chair of NBCC, and myself both received an email on August 31 acknowledging receipt of the petition.

"To hand over the petition in person to a councillor and to receive an email receipt from ELC proves that they knew exactly who the petition was from.

"ELC are determined to put the parking proposals through, no matter what the cost to the local economy. To say that their reaction is a tenuous excuse is to put it mildly."

Councillor Findlay, councillor for North Berwick Coastal, said: “I am very disappointed with the decision that petition has not only been rejected but not even properly considered.

"It seems very undemocratic to ignore the views of over 4,000 residents of North Berwick on a technicality. I would urge council leaders to reconsider their decision."

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “There were procedural issues with the submission of the petition but, even if these issues were addressed, it would not be possible to refer either petition to the petitions committee at this time.

"Following extensive consultation on the proposals in previous months, a formal process is already underway.

"This means that Traffic Regulation Orders have been published setting out the formal proposals.

"The petitions committee is unable to consider the matter while this process is ongoing. Any individuals or groups can use this as an opportunity to raise any objections to what is being proposed.

"It would therefore be open to the community council to use this process to highlight any objections between now and [the cut-off date of] October 22.”

Residents can give their views on the TRO, in writing, to North Berwick Parking Management TRO, Asset and Regulatory Manager, Road Services, Penton House, Macmerry, EH33 1EX or by emailing roadconsultation@eastlothian.gov.uk quoting “North Berwick Draft TRO” in the subject line and copying their local councillors into the correspondence.

Relevant documents can be viewed online at northberwickparking.commonplace.is or in person at North Berwick Community Centre, North Berwick Library, Gullane Library or John Muir House, in Haddington.