A MUSSELBURGH resident has called for a “blitz” by police in a bid to combat illegal parking in the Honest Toun.

Alan Hay, from Fisherrow, dubbed Musselburgh as “one giant car park”, saying the quicker traffic wardens were reinstated by East Lothian Council the better.

An ex-community councillor and former member of Vibrant Musselburgh, he said: “There are cars parked on zig zag lines and double parking. I’ve got a disabled badge but it’s [hard] finding a disabled space when there are people parking there who don’t have a badge.

“The parking is terrible now, it is getting really, really difficult. The two worst places are High Street and North High Street, which is busy at night because of all the takeaways.

“While East Lothian Council is to be congratulated on doing a great job outside the Town Hall because more cars can park there, it’s now a free-for-all as the 90-minute restriction has been done away with. Motorists are also parking on yellow lines outside Caffe Borsa. It’s chock-a-block and there’s nobody doing anything about it.”

He claimed people from the local business community were parking in spaces all day, adding: “They have to realise they are doing themselves damage because there are fewer people that will go to the shops. We are not going to get people visiting Musselburgh if they can’t get to the shops and park.”

Mr Hay added: “There is double parking all the time outside Boots and yet there is a car park behind which only costs 50p.

“But it is empty most of the time because people will just not pay it.”

He is calling on police to “clampdown” on illegal parking.

“If they can’t get traffic wardens, they’ve got to blitz the place. There is no control, nobody seems to be policing it. It’s not just a peak periods, Musselburgh’s traffic is chaotic every time of the day from 7.30am to 6pm,” he claimed.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Police Scotland withdrew the traffic warden service in 2014, leaving local authorities to look at alternative options for enforcing parking restrictions. East Lothian Council is actively seeking to put in place decriminalised parking enforcement.

“If approved by Transport Scotland, this would provide the council with the legal framework to introduce parking enforcement within the county and should give us much better enforcement outcomes within our communities. There is no timescale currently available for when the process will be completed.

“In the meantime, the responsibility for enforcement is with Police Scotland. The council have been given a commitment from Police Scotland that they will address parking issues if they are made aware of these. The council enjoys a good working relationship with Police Scotland, in particular the local community officers, and would encourage anyone concerned to report any illegal or dangerous parking directly to Police Scotland.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We’re committed to improving road safety across East Lothian and will investigate all reports of inconsiderate, illegal or dangerous parking.

“The public can be assured that when a motorist is found to be in breach of the law, local police officers will take appropriate measures and in line with the Road Traffic Act. Anyone who wishes to make a complaint can call 101.”