A Scottish Government hearing has accepted the Council's plan for parking restrictions in the streets of Musselburgh near Queen Margaret University to discourage parking by staff and students that would inconvenience residents in the area.

Following a lengthy public consultation, Council was required under traffic legislation to refer its plan to the Scottish Government in February 2008 after receiving 537 objections, 138 of which were subsequently withdrawn. A government Reporter was appointed in May 2008 to hear evidence from Council staff and the public into the introduction of the Council's Musselburgh Phase 1 traffic regulation order (TRO).

The Reporter supported the Council's plans: ”I conclude that the introduction of a residents' parking scheme in the Phase 1 area as identified in the TRO is necessary to ensure that users of the University are discouraged from parking in that area . . . and the controlled hours, provision for parking permits for residents and visitors and enforcement are appropriate. “

He also upheld the Council's decision not to implement a possible Phase 2 parking plan covering a wider area until the effectiveness of Phase 1 was assessed: “I further conclude that, in the light of the studies undertaken, the Council is justified in not including any part of Phase 2 area in the present TRO.”

However, the Reporter concluded that in addition to the provisions contained in the parking plan, the Council “should consider extending the prohibition to include the length of road opposite the bus stop in Whitehill Farm Road and part of the north-east section of the road where there is no direct property frontage, in the interests of traffic flow and safety.” 

Transport spokesman Councillor Paul McLennan said: “We welcome the Reporter's support for the Council's plan which we wish to put in place as soon as possible to resolve the parking problems around the university. We thank all who participated in the public consultations and the hearing.”

It will cost the Council £15k per year to implement the plan, mostly incurred through the provision of parking permits.

ENDS

Issued by Rob Sinclair, Communications and Marketing, 3 October 2008
T. 01620 82 7741 M. 07887675547 Email rsinclair@eastlothian.gov.uk