TEMPORARY measures to create more space for social distancing are being introduced in Tranent - and residents will be able to hire electric bikes from the town centre.

The measures,  being introduced under East Lothian Council's Spaces for People scheme, will be monitored and changes may be made if necessary.

They include a temporary introduction of a 60-minute parking limit in the Winton Place and Lindores Drive car parks to increase turnover and ensure visitors have spaces to park on High Street; the 60-minute parking limit will also be introduced on Winton Place.

Long-stay parking will be introduced at Foresters Park and the pedestrian crossing signals on High Street will be re-timed so the 'green man' appears more frequently.

Three parking spaces near congested footways on Bridge Street and High Street will be temporarily removed, says the council, to create more space for social distancing and queuing, something East Lothian Council says “will be vital with schools returning and many pupils accessing the high street during lunch time”.

Most of the car parking spaces in Tranent town centre will continue to be available for use.

Alongside these parking restrictions, 20 mile per hour speed limits will temporarily be introduced across the town alongside additional traffic calming measures.

East Lothian Council says these will allow for a more flexible use of the town centre and allow it to respond to requests for the use of public space.

It says the measures will also make it easier for people to cross the road if necessary to maintain social distancing, support walking and cycling to school and enhance walking and cycling routes.

The council also proposes to install electric-bike hire at Civic Square in late autumn once the procurement process is complete.

In addition, Ross High School will also be introducing staggered lunch breaks to reduce the number of pupils accessing the High Street at any one time.

East Lothian Council says there was "engagement" with "key local stakeholders, including the community council, area partnership and local councillors" before all the measures were confirmed.