News – Page 14 – Abbeylands Residents

East Lothian News: Parking and the Voice of the People

Posse of officials consulting with the weeds

As the posse of official-looking individuals marched down the High Street, it was clear they were on a mission. Suits are pretty uncommon in Dunbar and it usually means official council business or a funeral. The huddle headed headlong into the Abbeylands cul de sac and peered through the fence that encloses the old garage lands, which are planned to be social housing. The suits literally bristled with hubris, jabbed their fingers with intent and then swaggered off utterly oblivious to the incongruity of their garb.

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The greater good: the case for convenient parking

There are 2 stakeholders whose views won’t be heard very loudly in this minority debate about parking versus social housing at Abbeylands. The people who could occupy the accommodation that may now not be built, whose voice usually goes unheard. When it is, there’s always an unhealthy voyeuristic angle to it – for there’s not many ways stories about poor people in housing need help flog newspapers.

And then there are High Street residents, who usually suffer quietly. I’m frequently told: “… if you live on a High Street, that’s what you should expect …” Many, perhaps most High Streets are technically designated as ‘mixed use’ in rural areas at least. The role of residents is a fact that Mary Portas seriously underplays in her recent report intended to stimulate their revival. Not only do residents have a stake but it would be a good thing if their voice was listened to a bit more. I contend that until this happens many High Streets will continue in their progressive decline. Owner occupiers can bring much needed investment to support genuinely local business and are more likely to be engaged with issues that affect their street.

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What do the residents say?

Callum Colquhoun, the East Lothian Council community warden popped round for some tea and chat the other day. I was keen to hear what sorts of problems – if any – he was having to deal with locally and exactly what the issues were on the High Street. It is easy to feel out of touch, even if you live on the High Street and it is too easy to make assumptions based on one’s prejudices.

I guess I should not have been surprised that dog fouling was the most prominent concern expressed. But I was surprised that cyclists on pavements was the second concern. OK this is not based on statistically valid sample, not even a survey, but the sorts of things that crop up at the Community Council and at CAPP (COMMUNITY AND POLICE PARTNERSHIP). Interestingly the last meeting pointed up that speeding continues to be a problem in places. I’ve noticed that people are speeding up now that a crossing has been removed on the High Street and I then wondered why it was that cyclists might be using the pavement instead of the road. Is the High Street as safe as it could be?

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Problem Parking? What Problem?

Every so often, there is a need to suspend parking in some place or another. Roadworks, essential maintenance, an emergency. That sort of thing. But on Tuesday 29th May 2012 a widespread suspension was in force on Dunbar High Street to ensure the smooth running of the annual gull control operations. A preposterously large cherry picker was in action. Parents and carers tore small children from their Play Stations and CBeebies to look on in awe.

I’m not sure whether it was lack of a prior announcement, but for some reason the parking suspension was simply ignored. The traffic warden on duty looked on seemingly powerless as the men in the cherry picker carried out the annual Herring Gull control regardless.