CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, and Jeremy Findlay, a Conservative Councillor for North Berwick Coastal ward, have urged residents that they have one “final chance” to try to stop East Lothian Council’s proposal to introduce parking charges in North Berwick.
This follows the opening of consultations for the North Berwick Draft Traffic Regulation Order which closes on Sunday 1 October 2023.
Last week, a petition against the parking charges proposal organised by North Berwick Community Council was delivered to East Lothian Council with over 4,500 signatures.
The parking proposal, which is supported by Labour, SNP and Green Councillors on East Lothian Council has been opposed by community representatives from North Berwick Community Council, North Berwick Business Association and the East Lothian Conservatives.
Craig Hoy MSP is urging residents with concerns about the parking charges proposal to submit practical and policy-based objections in writing to North Berwick Parking Management TRO, Asset and Regulatory Manager, Road Services, Penton House, Macmerry, EH33 1EX or to email [email protected] quoting “North Berwick Draft TRO” in the subject line and to copy their local councillors into the correspondence. Those who signed the petition against the charges are required to resubmit their objections to be considered by council officers in the Draft Traffic Regulation Order.
Relevant documents can be viewed online at https://northberwickparking.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/document-lib… or in-person at North Berwick Community Centre, North Berwick Library, Gullane Library or John Muir House in Haddington.
Craig Hoy MSP commented: “This is residents’ final chance to object to the parking proposal for North Berwick by East Lothian Council.
“If implemented, this proposal would be highly detrimental to independent businesses on North Berwick High Street whilst severely limiting parking options for residents of the town.
“Labour and SNP Councillors have a duty to listen to the overwhelming view of local residents, given the fact that 1,500 more people signed the petition against the parking proposal than voted for both Labour and SNP combined at last year’s council election in the North Berwick Coastal ward.”
Cllr Jeremy Findlay added: “While I appreciate that East Lothian Council is facing turbulent financial circumstances, this follows many years of financial mismanagement by the SNP Government at Holyrood and consecutive Labour administrations in East Lothian.
“It is simply unacceptable for Councillors to pass on their failings to residents of the North Berwick Coastal ward through this tax-by-stealth.
“Councillors need to take their heads out of the sand and listen to the concerns of local people.”
Susan Oliver, co-chair of the North Berwick Business Association, said: “North Berwick Business Association is extremely concerned at the huge detrimental impact the parking proposals from East Lothian Council will have on the town. Small town centres where parking restrictions have been imposed have resulted in reduced services to the community, empty shops and increased social issues.
"The negative impact the proposals will have on the local economy and tourism could be disastrous for the town. Now we are in the consultation stage and even if you have previously written to or signed the petition to ELC, residents and visitors to North Berwick need to write to the council again to oppose the measures. ”
To raise awareness of the consultation Craig and his team will be hand-delivering letters to residents in North Berwick, Gullane and Dirleton.
