Thursday October 9th 2025
Protestors outside the council chamber this morning
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Protestors gathered outside a council chamber this morning as a petition calling for a parking charge scheme to be scrapped was discussed.
More than 3000 people signed the petition urging East Lothian Council to shelf its proposals to manage parking in the town with on street and off street charges.
Councillors on the petitions committee were met by dozens of protestors waving banners and blowing whistles while passing traffic tooted their horns in support as they arrived for the meeting in Haddington town hall.
Some objectors waved posters with a picture of council leader Norman Hampshire’s face on it accusing him of setting aside the views of communities.
Haddington is one of five towns in East Lothian which are part of the local authority’s parking management strategy with proposals to introduce charges.
However the plans have met opposition from residents and local businesses and in Haddington a campaign has seen posters in shop windows throughout the town centre calling for support against it.
One of the biggest concerns is the existence of a retail park on the outskirts of Haddington, which provides free parking and that shoppers will go there if they have to pay in the town.
At the meeting this morning petitioners told the four-councillor strong committee there were concerns that changing the current parking regime in the town, which allows people to park for 90 minutes free of charge, before moving on to a 30 minutes free slot and then charging would “change the dynamic of the town centre.”
Representatives from Haddington Business Group presented the petition and argued there were no parking problems in the town centre – only enforcement problems.
However Councillor Hampshire told the petitioners the only way to enforce parking was by funding more parking attendants and that required the additional income from charges.
And he told the petitioners: “We are trying to improve the own centre and the safey of people who are using it. Haddington has more than doubled in size and more people are coming into the town centre and we are struggling.
“Is safety not a good thing for us to try and ensure?”
However the petitioners said: “We do not agree safety is an issue.”
Council officers told the meeting that the public consultation on parking plans for Haddington was still ongoing and information from surveys and business models was still being collated.
They said it was too early to provide costings for the scheme or its impact but said any detailed plans would be brought before councillors for a decision and more opportunities for public engagement would be available.
Peter Forsyth, the council’s project manager, told the committee: “We are in the early stages of this process and there is no pre determined strategy. Ecah town is different and we will make recommendations that we consider appropriate for each town.”
The meeting heard that the council’s chief executive had given an assurance to local traders and community representatives of an early look at the recommendations before they come to a full council meeting, expected to take place in December.
Councillor Hampshire and fellow committee members Councillor Lee Ann Menzies and Councillor John McMillan rejected the petition saying it was important to let the democratic process carry on to allow the full details of the proposed scheme to be considered by full committee.
Councillor Menzie told the meeting: “I do not mind paying a small amount to park when I am leaving a big lump of metal on the road. Bus passengers have to pay to travel into the town centre I don’t see why drivers should not.”
However Councillor George McGuire voted to uphold the petition saying he agreed with local residents there was no parking problem in the town and it should be allowed to carry on.
He added: “Drivers already pay a lot, buying their vehicle, paying for fuel, road tax which is often forgotten about. Funding that goes to Government and doesn’t come back to local authorities.”
The petition was rejected by three votes to one.
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