Measures to improve the management of on-street parking in North Berwick town centre will come into effect on Monday 2 March.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which was published on Monday 12 January, includes the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones, restrictions and charges for parking on some streets, and a permit system for residents and their visitors.
Under the TRO, these measures will be legally applicable from 2 March although their enforcement will not commence until Monday, 16 March. This is to allow a suitable period of time for permits to be purchased online from the East Lothian Council website. Further details on the permit system and application process will be announced in the coming weeks.
The parking management scheme was approved at a meeting of East Lothian Council in December 2024 following extensive public consultation and engagement. The measures aim to increase the turnover of parking spaces to make it easier for people to access businesses and amenities during busy periods whilst encouraging sustainable travel.
Better parking enforcement
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “Most council areas in Scotland already have a form of town centre parking charges and we expect a range of benefits to be delivered by their introduction in North Berwick, including improved road safety through better enforcement of unsafe and illegal parking. By increasing the turnover of spaces and providing easier access for shopping, we hope to see greater footfall within local businesses too.
“These parking measures are also aimed at encouraging more people to adopt active travel options, improving their health and wellbeing while playing a part in tackling climate change.”
Under the TRO, time limits and charges will vary across three zones due to different parking demands with a recognition that many trips into the town centre are very short.
On High Street, there will be free parking for up to 45 minutes. Parking for up to 75 minutes will cost £1 while there will be a £2 charge for parking up to a maximum of 90 minutes to help incentivise the turnover of parking spaces. The charges on High Street will apply from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
In other locations within the town’s Controlled Parking Zones, parking will cost 50p for 30 minutes.
Parking permits
Day visitor permits for the use of family, friends and trades people visiting residents will be available as well as weekly permits for short-term lets. Permits for the RNLI and healthcare workers will be provided and owners of motor caravans residing within a Controlled Parking Zone will be able to apply for a resident parking permit.
Parking meters and accompanying signage will be installed ahead of the start of enforcement and that work is currently underway.
To ensure the TRO complies with the relevant legislation, it will be necessary to ‘sign and line’ its measures appropriately. For each section of restriction this must include a corresponding road marking (parking box) and signs or time plates. Due to the town centre’s layout and high numbers of vehicle accesses, it will be necessary to stop and start the parking boxes before and after any vehicle access or driveway crossing the footway. As signs relating to the parking box must be located within the length of the marking, they will initially be located on poles within the footway. Signs may be located on suitable walls or fences if the property owner grants permission. Property owners may request signs to be considered for relocation onto their walls or fences by emailing parkingconsultations@eastlothian.gov.uk
Three TROs covering off-street car parks in North Berwick came into effect in April 2025. These orders relate to changes to off-street parking in town centre car parks, at the Sewage Works and Haugh car parks, and at the museum and community centre car parks. The enforcement of these measures will also commence on Monday, 16 March.
Full details of the on-street parking TRO, together with plans showing the extent of the restrictions and a statement of reasons for making the order, can be viewed from Monday 12 January until Sunday 22 February at the reception of John Muir House in Haddington, North Berwick Community Centre, North Berwick Library and Gullane Library.
The TRO can also be viewed at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk, https://tinyurl.com/EastLothianParking and the East Lothian Council Consultation Hub at https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/