MOVES to transform North Berwick town centre by widening pavements and restricting parking will go ahead this week with temporary road closures to allow changes to be made.

East Lothian Council said public notices will go up tomorrow (WED) informing residents and traders of plans to suspend parking on High Street for four hours on Thursday evening as works starts on its Spaces for People programme.

The announcement comes less than a week after the local authority put plans to introducing parking restrictions in town centrs across the county on hold after they sparked an outcry from some traders.

The council said that following a meeting with North Berwick Community Council and Coastal Area Partnership and town traders an agreement had been reached to introduce a number of temporary measures in the town, providing extra space for physical distancing to protect public health and suppress a resurgence of Covid-19.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, deputy council leader and environment spokesman said: "The work will focus on the narrow eastern section of North Berwick High Street and will provide the temporary widening of foothpaths to allow people walking, pushing prams or buggies or using wheelchairs to have sufficient space to observe the current 2m physical distancing guidelines. 

"Some parking will be removed but a section will remain for local business use to support traders. In addition a combination of bollards and attractive planters will be introduced to narrow the road, reducing vehicle speeds and maximising pedestrian space

“To balance the need of businesses and supporting the local economy, parking provision within the town will be temporarily amended to provide spaces recognising in particular those with mobility needs.

"Additional Blue Badge spaces will be provided in Quality Street and Law Road car parks. We will also convert part of Elcho Green to a temporary car park to support access to the High Street area.”

High Street will be closed to through traffic and parking from 6.30pm tomorrow (Thursday) evening until 10.30pm.
The work will be carried out in the following phases:

Phase 1 – East End of High Street - Thursday, July 16,  (road closure) from 6.30 to 10.30pm to place demarcation bollards and road markings to allow authorised vehicles only to park. Erection of signs re-designating Law Road car park to 60 minutes and St Andrew Street to 90 minutes with no return.Open Elcho Green to long stay car parking Friday, July 17 . Barriers and cones to be placed to guide cars parking. Temporary signing of car parks to be erected.

Phase 2 – High Street w/c Monday, July 20, (parking suspensions) all day rolling programme to conclude the introduction of demarcation bollards and changes to road marking and placement of signs including all link streets except Law road. Disabled bays to be marked out.

Phase 3 – One way system from week commencing Monday, July 27 will mean temporary road works and localised disruption. Road marking and signage to make one way system including demarcation bollards on Law Road.  Erection of timeplates to enforce restrictions.

Phase 4 – Evening road closure High Street from week commencing Monday, August 3 to allow for placement of prefabricated speed cushions on High Street and the siting of a speed reactive sign.  Application of rolling grasscrete system to protect Elcho Green.