Revised parking charge proposals revealed for North Berwick

Controversial proposals, including introducing parking charges on High Street and at some town centre car parks, were met with hundreds of objections last year.

Now, East Lothian Council has unveiled four separate traffic regulation orders, which aim “to simplify the presentation of the proposals”.

Previously, they were all contained in one traffic order.

According to the council, the aim of the proposals is 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”.

READ MORE: North Berwick: Reasoning for starting again on parking 'insulting'

It is also hoped the moves would make the town centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists and "enhance the environment".

Proposals include the introduction of controlled parking zones, £40 annual parking permits for residents in affected areas, time restrictions and charges for parking on some streets and in some car parks.

Demand for spaces can be 'high'

Councillor John McMillan, cabinet member for environment, economic development and tourism at East Lothian Council, said: “Demand for parking spaces in North Berwick and East Lothian town centres can be high and it is often, particularly during busy periods, difficult for people to find a space.

“We have been keen to increase the turnover of parking spaces so that people benefit from easier access to town centres and their surroundings, increasing business footfall in the process.

“We also want to improve parking management alongside making our town centres safer, enhancing the environment, promoting active travel and encouraging use of public transport.”

What does the future hold for the centre of North Berwick? (Image: Newsquest)

Among the new proposals being put forward are the introduction of day visitor permits for residents use for family and friends visiting and weekly permits for short term let properties is proposed.

Visitor permits could be used to allow visiting tradespeople to park without a restriction on the length of their stay.

Permits for the RNLI are also proposed, as well as healthcare worker permits to allow them to undertake their essential work without fear of penalty.

Additional on-street locations where people can park all day for a maximum charge of £5 have also been added.

At the Haugh and sewage works, parking up to 60 minutes would cost 50p.

READ MORE: North Berwick parking charge proposals to return in revised plans

It would then be 50p for each 30 minutes thereafter up to eight hours (or £15 up to 24 hours).

Parking at the town’s community centre and museum/library is free of charge but would be restricted to users of the facilities only.

Meanwhile, parking outwith the controlled parking zones would remain free, including the car park at Recreation Park.

However, at Imperial Car Park, Castle Hill Car Park, Lodge Car Park and Glebe Car Park, the cost to park will be 50p for every half hour.

At Kirk Ports Car Park, the first 45 minutes would be free, up to 75 minutes would be £1, and up to 90 minutes - the maximum stay - £2.

Would you welcome changes to parking in the town centre? (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for the local authority said that a number of the original proposals remained unchanged, including parking charges on North Berwick High Street after 45 minutes had elapsed, and charges at town centre car parks.

They said: “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, there would be free parking up to 45 minutes (previously increased from 30 minutes).

“Parking for up to 75 minutes on High Street would cost £1, while there would 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 centre controlled parking zones, parking costs 50p for 30 minutes up to a maximum of six hours.”

Members of the public have until September 29 to comment on the orders, which can be viewed online.

Hard copies can also be viewed at North Berwick’s community centre, library and health centre, as well as Gullane library and health centre.

The plans can also be seen at John Muir House in Haddington.

Parking charges

Mr McMillan added: “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 in North Berwick and East Lothian.

“The North Berwick Business Association requested lengthening the proposed free charge period of 30 minutes to 90 minutes on the High Street.

“Data from parking management schemes elsewhere indicate a shorter time period for parking increases turn-over of spaces and so also increases availability.

“However, taking views on this into account, the proposals increased the free charge period from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

“We have also responded to concerns about the lack of residents’ parking within Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and so are removing designated residents’ only spaces and combining those with on street paid spaces which will greatly increase parking space availability.

“Another concern was that the proposed maximum length of stay within CPZs was too short.

“The recommendation is to increase the proposed five hours to six hours in the west area and from four hours to five hours in off street car parks.”

READ MORE: North Berwick parking charges order set to be withdrawn

Money raised by parking charges will be used, says the council, to pay for the enforcement of parking restriction in the town; any surplus "will be invested for local highway and transport improvement works".

The council and their consultants Stantec say there is no evidence to suggest that parking charges reduces the number of visitors to towns where such schemes have been introduced.

The charges would apply all-year round from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 1-7pm on Sundays.

Following the North Berwick consultation, East Lothian Council plans to "assess" parking in other towns with charges elsewhere likely.

Kenny Miller, chairman of North Berwick's community council, raised the possibility of a public meeting being held to discuss the proposals.

He said: "We will have to study these proposals very carefully and work together with the business association and locals of North Berwick.

"The last time this came up, we ran public meetings and we ran a petition, which was unsuccessful.

"We probably need to do those things again to gauge the feeling of people in North Berwick and see where we go with it.

"The business community is really nervous because of the history these type of things have with destroying High Streets and other areas.

"We certainly do not want that to happen in North Berwick."

business association, felt that East Lothian Council was not listening to concerns and confirmed that there would be further meetings going forward.

She said: “The community council and business association are arranging meetings with other parties in order to discuss our statement for moving forward.

“We will be meeting with East Lothian Council.”

Councillor Liz Allan, who represents the town on the local authority, acknowledged it was “a really difficult issue” and that “nobody likes change and nobody likes to pay for parking”.

However, she was surprised in “a very positive way” by what was being proposed.

She noted that many people visiting the town centre would “pop in and pop out to shops” and, if they wanted to park longer, “it is not a very large amount that is being asked for”.

She said: “I’m very happy to support the parking suggestions here.

“I have listened to a lot of people and, if they look at the detail, they would be quite pleased as well.”

Ward colleague Councillor Jeremy Findlay was keen to meet with both the community council and business association to hear their views.

The councillor said: “I would say progress has been made but there are still a lot of questions that have to be answered.

“Let’s see what the people and businesses of North Berwick have to say.”

Councillor Carol McFarlane, who also represents the North Berwick Coastal ward, said: “Demand for parking spaces in North Berwick town centre can be high and it is often particularly during busy periods it makes it difficult for people to find a space. Therefore, improving parking management ensures easier access to the town centre.”

Parking charges are likely to be considered elsewhere.

Following the North Berwick consultation, the council says it will be “assessing parking in other towns across East Lothian”.