Town centre parking management

Following significant public engagement, proposals were approved at December’s meeting of East Lothian Council. This included the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones, permits for residents, time restrictions and charges for parking on some streets and car parks.

The proposals aim to increase the turnover of parking spaces to make it easier for people to park and access town centre businesses and amenities during busy periods, whilst encouraging sustainable travel.

A phased approach is being taken to the introduction of the measures in the coming months.

Key points

Time limits and charges vary due to different parking demands. It is recognised that many trips into the town centre are very short. On High Street, the measures allow for free parking up to 45 minutes (previously increased from 30 minutes). Parking for up to 75 minutes on High Street will cost £1, while there will be a £2 charge here for parking up to a maximum of 90 minutes. This is to incentivise turn-over of parking spaces. In other locations within the town’s Controlled Parking Zones, parking will cost 50p for 30 minutes.

At the Haugh and Sewage Works, parking up to 60 minutes will cost 50p. It will then be 50p for each 30 minutes thereafter up to eight hours (or £15 up to 24 hours). Parking at the community centre and museum/library will be free of charge but restricted to users of the facilities only. Parking outwith the Controlled Parking Zones will remain free, including the car park at the Recreation Park.

Day visitor permits for the use of family, friends and trades people visiting residents will also be introduced, and weekly permits for short term let properties. Permits for the RNLI will also be available, as well as healthcare worker permits.

Mitigations

In response to public and stakeholder engagement on the proposals, a number of mitigations were made to the proposed measures and agreed to at December’s council meeting. These include:

• 15 minutes free parking within Glebe car park to allow drop off and pick up at the nursery on St. Andrews Street
• Free parking in Lodge (East Road), Imperial (Quality Street) and Glebe (St. Andrews Street) car park from the last Sunday October to the last Sunday in March annually
• Introduce the registration of vehicles to allow church goers to use the community centre car park on Sundays when no activities are held at the community centre
• Remove the charged parking spaces and waiting restrictions proposals in Glasclune Gardens and Greenhead Road
• Applying parking charges on Westgate which are the same as High Street
• Extend the High Street non-chargeable hours 8:30-10:00am and remove the charge after 4pm Monday to Saturday, which was a request from the Business Association. This means that charges here will apply from 10-4pm Monday to Saturday, which is a shorter period of time than previously proposed
• Permitting owners of motor caravans who reside within a Controlled Parking Zone to have a residents parking permit

A review of the impacts and operation of the four Traffic Regulation Orders is to be provided to elected members within a year of being implemented. The review will include a summary of what has gone well, anything that has not, and recommendations to address and approve any issues raised.

Return to the parking proposals homepage