A CRACKDOWN on long-stay parkers is being introduced as East Lothian Council moves to bring in waiting restriction in car parks and on streets.

A meeting of the council’s cabinet this week approved plans to limit waiting times at two Tranent car parks and one in Dunbar to just 90 minutes.

The minority Labour administration was told that a car park on Abbeylands in Dunbar had been “constructed to assist with visitors accessing and utilising the High Street businesses”; however, it “is being used primarily as a long stay”.

They were asked to approve a bid to introduce a 90-minute waiting restriction at the car park, as well as Lindores car park in Tranent, which currently has a temporary restriction under the Safer Spaces project, and a section of car park across from Tranent Medical Practice.

Councillors were told that patients had complained about being unable to park for appointments because it was always full.

They were also asked to approve extending waiting restrictions to streets across the county which were becoming jammed by “indiscriminate parking”, as well as extending a one-way system at Musselburgh’s Harbour Road to adjoining Lochend Road North.

Additional speed restrictions are also being applied for under Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in West Barns, as well as a bid to stop up part of South Street in Belhaven and section of Newton Port, Haddington.

The cabinet also approved a bid to introduce 66 new electric vehicle chargers at locations across the county, including 16 at Wallyford’s park and ride facility.

Following the approval of the plans to apply for new and amended TROs, Councillor Norman Hampshire, cabinet member for environment, said: “East Lothian Council has a responsibility to ensure local towns and villages have safe, accessible routes of travel that recognise the needs of a range of road users, pedestrians and businesses.

“As the county develops and travel patterns change, the council can be approached by local communities concerned about a range of travel-related issues.

“The new and amended TROs approved were identified as necessary to improve or enhance the free movement of traffic whilst also supporting other road users.

“The council is committed to creating greater opportunities for active travel which can benefit individual wellbeing and energise our town centres.”

A full list of the TROs applied for can be found at https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/16627/cabinet