Dunbar parking consultation launched

The proposals being put forward are focused on making it easier for residents and visitors to park as well as encouraging greater turnover of parking spaces to provide better access for all to businesses and services. 

A questionnaire is available for those wishing to respond to the consultation, while a drop-in event is also planned for Thursday, 22 May (further details below). 

Engagement to identify issues 

Engagement has taken place with the community council and area partnership to consider how best to address Dunbar parking challenges. This has identified issues such as: 

• Insufficient car parking enforcement across the town  
• Low turnover of parking spaces on the High Street and at the swimming pool car park, reducing options for shoppers and visitors  
• Parking congestion around the train station, Countess Road and surrounding area  
• Lack of designated disabled car parking spaces  
• Inadequate car park signage throughout the town  
• Limited bicycle parking bays on the High Street  
• Residents struggling to park close to their homes  

Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: 

“We are carrying out a series of consultations with a focus on addressing challenges associated with parking in many of our town centres. The consultation launching today is about Dunbar and runs until 16 June. 

“It recognises that demand for parking can be high, particularly during peak periods. That’s why our priority is to work with the local community to explore solutions which increase the availability of parking spaces in the town centre. Doing so can make it easier for people to access local shops and businesses.   

“New approaches to parking management can also help to protect and enhance the environment whilst supporting provision for active travel and public transport and enhancing safety. 

“While no decisions on these measures have been taken, consulting on possible ways forward will help us address the current problems we face with parking whilst supporting the local economy and enhancing the environment. I would encourage as many people as possible to have their say on the proposals for Dunbar.” 

Proposals 

Based on engagements to date, proposals for Dunbar are based around solutions such as: 

• Controlled parking: Designate areas for short, medium, or long-stay parking. Short-stay car parking areas would offer a limited period of FREE parking time. Once this time has elapsed, a charge would be required.

• Resident parking permits: Allowing residents unlimited parking in designated areas with an annual fee 

• Healthcare worker permits: Healthcare providers would need to apply to the council to receive permits for their staff  

• Enhanced enforcement: to increase the turnover of parking spaces, improve pedestrian safety by reducing illegal parking, and to boost the local economy 

Have your say 

The consultation runs for six weeks from 5 May until 16 June. You can complete the questionnaire online; alternatively, hard copies will be available at all East Lothian libraries.  

Any hard copies of the questionnaire can be handed in at the libraries or posted to: 

Dunbar Parking Management Consultation, Asset and Regulatory Manager, Penston House, Macmerry, EH33 1EX.   

Responses and comments from the questionnaire will be used as a basis to draft Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which will be consulted on formally in the Autumn.   

If you have any questions regarding the consultation, please email Dunbarparking@eastlothian.gov.uk 

Drop-in event 

People can also attend a drop-in event to provide feedback: 

Venue: Dunbar Town House, High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ER 

Date: Thursday, 22 May 

Times: 2pm-4.30pm and 6pm-8.30pm 

Background 

The council’s 2018 Local Transport Strategy and Parking Management Strategy highlights providing appropriate parking facilities that support the economic, environmental and accessibility requirements of towns in East Lothian. 

At a council meeting earlier in 2022, it was agreed that consultation would take place consider and develop options around possible parking measures in town centres. The initial focus was on North Berwick, where consultation has already taken place regarding measures to improve town centre parking management. At the December 2024 meeting of East Lothian Council, following significant engagement with the community over a number of years, elected members approved plans for controlled parking zones, permits for residents, time restrictions and charges for parking on some streets and car parks in North Berwick. These measures will be introduced in the coming months. 

A consultation looking at proposals to improve parking management in Tranent launched on 22 April and runs until 3 June. 

Separate consultations for Haddington, Musselburgh and Prestonpans will take place in due course.