Parking Fury in Paradise: North Berwick Meter Plan Branded a Farce

Across the seaside town of North Berwick in East Lothian, the local council has moved to introduce a series of parking-management measures - but residents and businesses say the rollout is still glitchy and the wider scheme for other towns is still uncertain.

What’s going on

East Lothian Council has approved a package of parking controls for North Berwick, including Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs), time-limited stays, paid-for parking on certain streets and car parks, and residents’ and visitors’ permits.

Key published charge examples include free parking on the High Street for 45 minutes (up from 30 minutes), £1 for up to 75 minutes, and £2 for up to 90 minutes. Other zones list 50p for 30 minutes. Off-street sites such as the Haugh and Sewage Works car park are set at 50p for the first hour, then 50p per 30 minutes up to eight hours, or around £15 for 24 hours.

Public consultation has been carried out, and revisions were made following feedback - including new visitor, short-term let, and healthcare worker permits - as the council aimed to balance local demand with turnover for businesses.

Delays and concerns

Although the programme is underway, the rollout has been delayed. The authority says off-street changes have been published, but on-street Traffic Regulation Orders are due later, with implementation expected in stages over the coming months.

Since April, more than a dozen planning applications to install meters in North Berwick’s conservation area have been lodged, with several withdrawn or awaiting decisions. Local councillors have called the process "farcical" and urged a pause while other towns’ consultations continue.

Critics argue the plan addresses a seasonal parking problem with a permanent solution, warning that the visual impact of parking meters could harm the town’s historic character. Others believe enforcement will simply shift parking pressures to nearby residential streets.

Wider roll-out

North Berwick is intended as the first of up to five East Lothian towns to undergo new parking-management controls. Similar proposals are expected to follow in Dunbar, Musselburgh, Haddington, and Tranent.

The council maintains the measures are needed to improve turnover of parking spaces, reduce congestion and safety risks, and support local access for shoppers and visitors. Supporters say the changes will make parking fairer and more sustainable by discouraging all-day stays in prime spaces.

The bigger picture

East Lothian’s population growth and tourist demand have created ongoing tensions between residents, visitors, and businesses over limited parking. North Berwick’s popularity as a day-trip destination has led to complaints about congestion, blocked driveways, and pavement parking during peak months.

Councillors insist the new regulations are about long-term town-centre management rather than short-term revenue. But with implementation repeatedly delayed and community opposition unresolved, the council’s first real test will come when the meters finally go live.

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