South of Scotland MSP Craig Hoy and local councillor Jeremy Findlay have teamed up to launch a new campaign against proposed year-round parking charges in North Berwick.

East Lothian Council wants to introduce charges for parking on some streets and in some car parks in the town centre, as well as bring in £40 annual parking permits for residents in affected areas.

Parking on High Street would be free for the first 45 minutes, £1 for up to 75 minutes, and £2 for a maximum stay of up to 90 minutes.

The local authority says the measures, currently out to consultation, will make it easier for motorists to find parking spaces in the town centre and will boost local businesses.

But this is not a stance shared by Conservative duo Mr Hoy and North Berwick Coastal ward councillor Mr Findlay.

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Mr Hoy said: “Residents have rejected charged parking proposals time and again. We need to say ‘no’ one last time to send East Lothian Council the message that parking charges and permits will be disruptive to residents and damaging to local businesses."

While Findlay claimed: “East Lothian Council has failed to listen and still plans to impose parking charges on North Berwick residents and visitors. That is why everyone who is opposed to these damaging proposals must submit their objections in writing one final time.”

Residents have until September 29 to comment on the proposals as East Lothian Council consults on traffic orders to impose charges and restrictions.

The Conservative duo say that anyone wishing to object should include their name, address, grounds for objecting and the relevant objection reference, e.g. 'North Berwick On Street Order No.4' and send it, in writing, to the following address: North Berwick Parking Management TRO,  Asset and Regulatory Manager, Penston House, Macmerry EH33 1EX or by email via parkingconsultations@eastlothian.gov.uk 

READ MORE: Revised parking charges revealed for North Berwick

There must be separate objectionssubmitted for each of the four traffic orders, they say, and objections must be in residents own words.

Residents can, of course, also use these same channels to show their support for the scheme.

According to the council,  the proposals would “increase the turnover of parking spaces to make it easier for people to park and access town centre businesses and amenities during busy periods”.

And the council and its consultants maintain that the changes would make the town centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists and "enhance the environment".

Councillor John McMillan, cabinet member for environment, economic development and tourism at East Lothian Council, said at the re-launch of the proposals last month: “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."