Monday September 28th 2026
Parking meter in North Berwick
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
New figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request have raised questions over whether North Berwick’s recently introduced parking scheme is performing in line with the financial forecast presented to East Lothian councillors.
The financial model approved by councillors forecast annual income of £928,375 from on and off-street parking charges.
However, actual parking income for June, July and August totalled approximately £137,199 – just 14.8 per cent of the annual forecast.
To reach the original annual figure, the scheme would now need to generate approximately £791,176 during the remaining nine months, equivalent to almost £87,900 per month.
But, it has been found that the average during the first three months was £45,733 per month, meaning monthly parking income would need to increase by around 92 per cent compared with the rate achieved during June, July and August.
Calling on the local authority to pause the measures, the council made North Berwick the first town to introduce measures back on 1 June, estimating it could bring in more than £1 million a year once original costs are recouped.
In the first two weeks of the measures dozens of £100 parking tickets were issued a day on average, causing public outrage which has led to vandalism, public protests outside council meetings and a survey that has gathered hundreds of responses.
A meeting of councillors before the summer recess heard claims traders are losing thousands of pounds a week as locals stay away because of confusion over the charges amid claims the signage is not clear and people are concerned about receiving a fine if they get it wrong.
Conservative councillors told the meeting shop owners and hospitality businesses said they had seen takings fall by between 20% to 60% compared to the same time in previous years with one saying they were down £1,000 a day.
With the original aim ‘to make it easier for people to access businesses and amenities’ and increase footfall, on the high street business has been affected with one local business warning the Midlothian View back in February, 5 months before the charges were implemented, that the charges will ‘crash the high street’.
Bev Gilhooley, who owns pet store Barker and Bone on North Berwick high street told the Midlothian View in Febraury that she was concerned the measures would 'crash the high street'
The FOI figures also raise questions over information presented to Councillors in August. At that meeting, councillors were told that approximately £111,000 had been received from parking charges and permits during June and July and that this was “broadly in line with assumptions in the modelling that was undertaken”.
However, parking-charge income alone – which provides the clearest comparison with the original parking forecast – was approximately £95,316 for June and July.
At that stage, average monthly parking income was around £47,700. To achieve the £928,375 annual forecast from that point, the remaining ten months would have needed to generate more than £83,000 per month.
Raising questions amongst locals, parking campaigner John Wellwood explained:
“The fact that councillors were told the scheme was ‘broadly in line’ with the modelling, when the figures now appear to show such a substantial gap, is extremely Concerning.
“We need to know exactly what information officers were using when they briefed councillors on 25 August.
“Was the information wrong? Was important information omitted? Or was a mistake made in interpreting the financial model?
“Whatever the explanation, councillors and the public deserve answers.”
The financial position is further complicated by the winter charging arrangements. Imperial, Glebe and Lodge car parks generated approximately £46,233 during June, July and August – around one third of all parking income generated by the new scheme.
Those three car parks become free for approximately five months over winter. The winter arrangements were already known when the original financial model was developed, and the council’s consultants stated that the model had been calculated monthly and incorporated seasonal demand.
Mr Wellwood added:
“The simplest way to resolve this is for East Lothian Council to publish the month-by- month parking-income forecast that officers were using when they told councillors performance was broadly in line.
“That forecast should be published alongside the actual income received.
“I also believe the chief executive should explain what happened and provide reassurance that councillors are receiving complete and accurate financial information when they are being asked to make important decisions.”
The first three months of figures do not determine the final annual result, but they show a substantial gap between the income achieved so far and the annual parking- income forecast.
Publishing the month-by-month forecast would allow councillors and residents to assess directly whether actual performance is consistent with the assumptions used in the original financial model.
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