North Berwick, my hometown, has expanded rapidly over the last decade. The centre of the town has become noisy and stressful, making it hard to walk along the narrow pavements with a pet, with young children, with a bike or wheelchair.

In 2017 a local 'Charette' (group including the council, residents, local associations etc) came together to suggest various ways we could manage parking, cars, and make the town a happier, healthier place. They provided this final report of recommendations, after months of hard work.

Three years later very little has been carried out - despite the urgent need for social distancing in 2020.

The Charette received funding and consulted with hundreds of people. (600 people came to the last meeting in May 2017.) Various forms of high street pedestrianisation were suggested in the final report. To not implement any changes and to make a U-turn due to a small, vocal minority, after the final report came out, is undemocratic.

Why pedestrianise the high street now?

Up to 36,000 people die of air pollution every year.

This Pedestrian Pound report shows people on foot spend more than motorists.

Pedestrianisation would boost our economy and tourism, improve our residents' mental and physical health, and could improve disabled access.

We have a lot of parking already, including spaces for disabled access practically on the high street - here is a parking map.

Now is the time to do something bold, and long overdue. Let's pedestrianise the high street, like they do in many towns across the country, enjoy some outdoor seating and spend in our local shops!