Parking charges approved for North Berwick despite residents’ objections

Plans to introduce parking charges in an East Lothian seaside town have been approved despite hundreds of objections from local residents.

East Lothian councilors have backed revised plans to introduce new traffic orders covering North Berwick.

They rejected calls from fellow conservatives for a public hearing, insisting the proposals would make the city a “safer” place to live and visit.

Local ward councilor Jeremy Findlay accused council officials of treating objectors like “kids in a playground” by making changes to traffic orders as he brought forward a motion calling for a public hearing.

He said: “The council plays the role of a teacher to the children in the playground, saying to them: ‘Here are some more treats’. Now go away, shut up and let the adults deal with it.

He and fellow Conservative councilor Lachlan Bruce, who seconded his motion, both accused the council of a “financial grab”, saying the project did not benefit the town or its residents.

However, his motion was defeated after fellow councilors insisted people should be consulted and given opportunities.

Council leader Norman Hampshire told the full council meeting: “These changes are necessary or North Berwick will die.”

Initial plans to introduce parking charges, residential permits and controlled parking zones across the city were withdrawn by authorities before four revised traffic law ordinances were introduced in August.

At today’s meeting, officers added changes to the bylaws after considering public representation. They also urged councilors to put aside outstanding objections and agree to continue the process of introducing the bylaw.

Among the order changes was reduced charging at three car parks – Glebe, The Lodge and Imperial – year-round between April and October only.

Waiting restrictions for the municipal library and community center parking lots have also been changed to allow churchgoers to use the community center parking lot on Sundays. Councilors also agreed to amend the bylaw covering 11 controlled parking zones across the city with permits and fees to allow for their monitoring and review if necessary.

Paid hours on the High Street have also been reduced to between 10am and 4pm on weekdays and between 1pm and 4pm on Sundays. Plans to introduce parking charges and queuing restrictions in Glasclune Gardens and Greenhead Road have been withdrawn, and it has been recommended that parking in Westgate be charged the same as in High Street.

The meeting heard that revenue from the charges would help fund five new parking attendants to enforce new ordinances in the city.

SNP council leader Lyn Jardine has proposed reviewing the new parking system after a year of use to ensure it is effective.

Provost John McMillan said he believed people were consulted and everyone had an opportunity to voice their opinions during the process.

Councilor McMillan supported the SNP’s amendment for a review, saying he thought it was important to review the project. Councilors supported it unanimously and later approved the official’s revised orders by 16 votes to three, with Conservative councilors opposing them.