LOCALS have the opportunity to comment on proposals to improve parking management in Haddington, as a new consultation is launched.
The proposals being considered focus on making it easier for residents and visitors to park while encouraging greater turnover of parking spaces.
This is expected to improve everyone’s access to businesses and services.
A questionnaire is available for those who wish to participate in the consultation, and a drop-in event is scheduled for Thursday, 12 June.
Engagement has occurred with the community council and area partnership to explore the best ways to address parking challenges in Haddington. This has identified issues such as:
- Lack of parking enforcement and low visibility of attendants
- 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.”
Based on engagements so far, proposals for Haddington centre 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 must apply to the council to obtain permits for their staff.
- Improved car park signage.
The consultation lasts six weeks, from 19 May until 30 June. It can be completed online, or 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 serve as a basis for drafting Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which will be formally consulted in autumn.
Any questions regarding the consultation should be emailed to [email protected].
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: 2-4.30 pm and 6-8.30 pm
Similar consultations are underway to examine proposals to enhance parking management in Tranent and Dunbar.
Separate consultations for Musselburgh and Prestonpans are set to take place in due course.
