East Lothian Courier | News

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 31st July, 2008 08:00

Parking D-Day

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PARKING zones around Queen Margaret University could be given the green light later this month.

Patrick Hetherington, the Scottish Government reporter in charge of Monday’s public inquiry into the proposed Musselburgh West Phase 1 Traffic Regulation Order, will announce his findings “within 14-20 days”.

Should he find in favour of East Lothian Council, the new regulations covering streets within a five-minute walk of the university campus could be implemented by late September.

The council’s plans to issue residents’ parking permits had brought more than 500 written objections from householders in the Stoneybank, Whitehill, Denholm and Clayknowes areas of the town when first mooted a year ago.

The high level of resistance to the plans saw ministers order this week’s public inquiry.

However, fewer than 20 members of the public were present for the hearing at the Brunton Hall, with Mr Hetherington taking just two hours to hear evidence.

The majority of those present said they backed the scheme.

Several objected strongly to the regulations.

And one speaker voiced his anger at the actual presence of the university.

Council officials say the restrictions are necessary due to the large volume of traffic generated by the university, which was officially opened by The Queen on July 4.

Parking provision on the campus itself is for 431 vehicles, but with 5,000 students plus 500 staff on site, the pressure for parking places in the surrounding streets has become intense – with many preferring road travel to using the improved rail connections between the adjacent Musselburgh Station and Edinburgh.

Implementation of Phase 2 of the traffic regulation order – covering streets within a 10-minute walk of the campus – is dependent on Phase 1 being sanctioned by the reporter.

Comments

Scotty Cameron

Jul 31 08 20:38

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"However, fewer than 20 members of the public were present for the hearing."

Yes, well don't the people who arrange the dates for these enquiries realise that the majority of us who are objecting to these proposals are decent hard working citizens who have to work every day for a living and can't attend public hearings during normal working hours? (Whilst the Council attendees are being highly paid - by us - to attend!)

Oh, and isn't it the middle of the school holiday season just now when a lot of families are away on holiday - what a coincidence! And let me guess, most of the 20 who did attend will be political supporters of the Council who have their own personal "I'm all right Jack" agendas (you know who you are...)

This Council should be ashamed of the way they have treated the local residents of Musselburgh on this matter. Remember what happened to the last lot who ignored the local feelings........

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