Haddington 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, 12 June (further details below). 

Engagement to identify issues 

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

• Lack of parking enforcement and low visibility of attendants
• Poor car park signage
• The need for public access to the John Muir House car park (Neilson Park Road)
• The impact of the free car parking offered by the out-of-town retail park and how the introduction of parking fees may deter visitors and shoppers from visiting Haddington
• A general misuse of parking facilities, for example, free car parking spaces being used for extended periods and school traffic causing congestion around the areas of Victoria Road, Neilson Park Road and Mill Wynd
• Parking issues at Church Street and Hardgate junction, blocking pedestrian visibility
• Vehicles parking on grass at Haddington Athletic FC 3G pitches (Whittingehame Drive).

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

“This is an important opportunity for as many people as possible to have their say on ways of improving the management of parking in Haddington town centre.

“It is the latest in a series of ongoing consultations looking at how we might be able to address challenges associated with parking in many of our town centres.

“While no decisions on measures for Haddington have been taken at this stage, consulting on possible ways forward can help us address the current problems we face with parking together, whilst supporting the local economy and enhancing the environment.

“We know that demand for parking in town centres such as Haddington can be high, particularly during peak periods throughout the week. Our approach here is to work with the local community to explore solutions which increase the availability of parking spaces in Haddington 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 in and around town centres.” 

Proposals 

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

• Controlled parking: Designate areas for short, medium, or long-stay parking, with limited free parking time followed by a charge for short-stay parking
• Resident parking permits: Review the existing scheme allowing residents unlimited parking in designated areas but with a likely annual fee
• Enhanced enforcement: Would improve pedestrian safety by reducing illegal parking and ensuring the proper use of disabled parking bays and loading zones throughout the town
• Healthcare worker permits: Healthcare providers would need to apply to the council to receive permits for their staff
• Improved car park signage.

Have your say 

The consultation runs for six weeks from 19 May until 30 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: 

Haddington 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 Haddingtonparking@eastlothian.gov.uk 

Drop-in event 

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

Venue: Haddington Corn Exchange, Court Street, Haddington, EH41 3DS

Date: Thursday, 12 June

Times: 2-4.30pm and 6-8.30pm

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 to 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. 

Similar consultations are taking place looking at proposals to improve parking management in Tranent and Dunbar.

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