Review of parking in Midlothian considers on street charges and resident permits

On street parking charges and residents’ permit zones have been considered as part of a £45,000 policy ‘refresh’ in Midlothian.

A report due to go to councillors next week stresses no decisions are being taken at this time when it comes to the local authority’s parking management.

However the review of the council’s parking strategy by the same consultants who advised neighbouring East Lothian Council over its introduction of town centre parking charges, does put forward the charging approach for Midlothian to consider.

And it says an impact assessment of the proposed strategy received mainly ‘neutral and positive’ responses adding: “It is possible that there could be some negative impacts on low income people who are reliant on private cars to access key destinations.

“However, we know that a greater proportion of low income people are unable to afford a private car, and so we do not consider this impact to be disproportionate when considered against the range of positive impacts for various other protected groups.”

Midlothian has the highest percentage of households with access to a car across the Lothians with an estimated 85 per cent of homes owning or able to access a car – this compares to 73 per cent nationally.

The council currently operates nine car parks with only two, both in Dalkeith, charging.

Proposals put forward in the draft strategy would see car parks on the edge of town charging a flat day rate with those in the town centres offering free parking for 30 minutes with £1 an hour charged after that.

On street it suggest limiting the time for parking to 30 minutes or a maximum one hour while residents areas were there are identified parking issues could see controls introduced such as permits.

The strategy says its proposed parking policy no1 is: “We will implement an approach to parking management (by using pay and display and/or Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE)as tools) that supports our Thriving Town Centres by encouraging turnover on streets within town centres and High Streets.”

Policy no2 includes increasing the use of parking attendants on the street while the third policy says: “The council may introduce charging for
more off-street car parks and on-street parking in areas with high levels of parking pressure.

“The aim of the charges will be to introduce more consistency in the approach, and to support the approach to parking management.”

Additional policies put forward include restricting waiting and loading times in town centres but only in residential streets were there is a strong demand made by residents and add that the introduction of controlled parking zones in in residential areas will remain “under review”.

The report to go before Midlothian Council next week says it spent over £45,000 on the parking strategy refresh which was delivered by Stantec.

It says: “The refresh exercises highlighted many challenges. Once MLDP2 (the Midlothian Local Development Plan) is concluded, further consideration of town centre parking management may be appropriate, alongside localised management arrangements for areas experiencing acute ‘overdemand’ for residential on-street parking.

“Officers may then consider the options available for future localised management arrangements. Once further detailed analysis of data is undertaken internally, officers will report back to council with more detailed findings, noting the complexity of these, and highlighting any potential options that can seek to minimise impacts on resident and visitor access.”

And it asks councillors to note the update on the review adding ” the review thoroughly considers, but does not recommend at this stage, the implications of any future changes to parking changes and charges.”