WILL PARKING CHARGES CHANGE HABITS?

Results of Survey – June 2025

On 5 May 2025, East Lothian Council’s consultants, Stantec, launched a questionnaire in Dunbar to gather views on proposed parking management. The proposed zone covered 37 hectares—from the sea (north and east), to Dunbar Primary School/Marine Road (west), and the railway line (south).

The proposals were based on the Council’s Transport Management Strategy (2018) with aims to:

  1. Support net zero by reducing car use and encouraging public transport.
  2. Increase High Street parking turnover to boost trade.
  3. Raise revenue to support safer streets and enforcement.

DCC Survey Details:

  • Launched: 21 May 2025 (online and on paper)
  • Closed: 16 June 2025
  • Total responses: 1,336
  • Paper responses: 81
  • Used in DCC submission to ELC/Stantec (13 June): 1,215

Report by:
Pippa Swan, Chair, Dunbar Community Council – 20 June 2025

To read and download the full report


Where Respondents Live (1,336 total responses)

  • 255 in parking control area → 19.1%
  • 862 in Dunbar but outside control area → 64.5%
  • 219 outside Dunbar → 16.4%

High Street & West Port (1,333 responses)

  • 1,134 visit less → 85.1%
  • 178 no change → 13.4%
  • 21 visit more → 1.6%

Lauderdale Park (1,333 responses)

  • 1,124 visit less → 84.3%
  • 198 no change → 14.9%
  • 9 visit more → 0.7%

Dunbar Leisure Pool (1,328 responses)

  • 1,132 visit less → 85.3%
  • 189 no change → 14.2%
  • 7 visit more → 0.5%

Bleachingfield Centre (1,332 responses)

  • 1,086 visit less → 81.5%
  • 240 no change → 18.0%
  • 6 visit more → 0.5%

Support for Parking Charges + Permits

Dunbar North (1,328 responses)

  • 1,283 opposed → 96.6%
  • 45 supported → 3.4%

Dunbar West (1,322 responses)

  • 1,281 opposed → 96.9%
  • 41 supported → 3.1%

Support for Permit-Only Zones

Parsonspool (1,325 responses)

  • 1,264 opposed → 95.4%
  • 61 supported → 4.6%

Dunbar East / Shore / Harbour (1,328 responses)

  • 1,270 opposed → 95.6%
  • 58 supported → 4.4%