A 90-MINUTE waiting restriction for vehicles at the Old Town Hall in Musselburgh has been tightened up following the creation of a new parking layout in the area.

A new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was introduced on Monday. Although the location had been subject to a 90-minute limit in the past, the council created additional spaces to which the time restriction needed to be enforced.

A council spokeswoman said: “The previous TRO made reference to the size and shape of the old road layout and therefore couldn’t be enforced following the construction of the new road layout.”

She said that a 90-minute waiting restriction would remain from St Peter’s Church, past Loretto School.

The spokeswoman added that parking issues with motorists leaving their vehicles all day were compounded following the removal of Police Scotland’s traffic warden service in 2015 as there was little chance that vehicles would be ticketed.

The council was then granted powers on January 23, 2017, to carry out parking enforcement and undertook a series of reviews on town centre parking.

A new parking layout, including additional spaces and new parking for bicycles has since been introduced by the Town Hall.

The spokeswoman said: “The restrictions were 90 minutes before but had been ignored as no enforcement could be carried out.

“The council then got enforcement powers and a Traffic Regulation Order has brought in 90-minute limited waiting within the new road layout near Musselburgh Town Hall and on the section of High Street opposite.

“The disabled parking spaces will also be enforced, ensuring blue badge holders can park close to a busy town centre.

“The 90-minute restrictions will create a turnover of vehicles and stop all-day parking, which should assist the needs of businesses, visitors and residents during peak times. These timed restrictions will operate between the times of 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

“The issue of increased car ownership is a major contribution to the parking problems found in Musselburgh and in other towns throughout East Lothian and, whilst this is a difficult problem to address, the council is committed to tackling such issues by improving the quality of transport infrastructure across East Lothian, promotion of sustainable transport options and identifying opportunities to create more car parking spaces such as the new parking provision in Musselburgh High Street.

“In addition the council’s parking strategy includes extending and introducing residents parking schemes throughout East Lothian.”