DOZENS of parking fines have been issued in East Lothian Council’s staff car park after double yellow lines were introduced.

The council saw the total number of parking penalties issued across East Lothian by its private parking attendants fall slightly last year to 9,627.

However, that included 28 notices which were issued after the lines and waiting restrictions were introduced in the council’s own staff car park at its headquarters at John Muir House, Haddington, in October.

The local authority introduced a team of private parking wardens to the county at the end of 2016.

In their first year, they issued 9,860 penalty notices with a potential revenue value of over £300,000. That fell slightly in 2018 and the council has been looking at its local parking strategy.

Among ideas put forward by the council, which promotes free parking for employees at council locations as one of the benefits of working for the local authority, has been giving communities the chance to introduce town centre parking charges in some of the most congested areas.

A council spokesperson said: “Parking enforcement was introduced in busier town centre locations to address road safety issues, keep primary traffic routes free-flowing and support economic growth by encouraging parking turn-over.

“There is growing awareness of parking enforcement and the associated restrictions.

“Looking ahead, our Local Transport Strategy outlines a vision and commitment for integrated transport links that residents, visitors and businesses can all benefit from.

“The number of penalty charge notices issued in total for 2018 was 9,627. This compares to 9,860 in 2017. Between October and December 2018, there were 28 penalty charge notices issued at Brewery Park/the John Muir House car park.”