Plans to introduce double yellow lines for health centre approved

Double yellow lines next to a health centre have been given the go ahead after concerns were raised about ambulances getting to it.

Midlothian Councillors were told that cars parked on a corner of Imrie Place, in Penicuik, were causing a problem for the centre and waste collection vehicles who sometime could not reach the end of the street.

A report to cabinet this week said visibility at the corner was  “impeded by the intruding bulk of the Lidl store” and asked for the go ahead to put the double yellow lines along 23 metres of the road.

Only one objection was lodged over the plans with the protester saying the council had created the problem by allowing the supermarket store to be built on the ‘residential’ street in the first place.

The objector said: “Imrie Place is a totally residential street. As residents we are unfortunate to have the doctors surgery at the end of the street – putting up with non mobile staff using the street as a car park Monday-Friday.

“Midlothian Council created the current parking nightmare when they provided consent for a 200 seater restaurant that has a five car parking area.

“Whilst I agree the corner narrows the road significantly especially when idiot
drivers believe they can wrap their car around the corner, this situation again
created by Midlothian Council when Lidl’s was allowed to build.”

“Double yellow lines will not prevent patrons of the restaurant, or anyone else for that matter, parking on the restricted area at night and at the weekend when no parking enforcement is around. All that you are doing is taking parking spaces away from residents.”

Councillor Connor McManus moved the motion to approve the restrictions telling the meeting: “This road provides access to the doctors surgery so if people park on this corner an ambulance might not be able to get along there.

“I note the objector who says there are no issues on Imrie Place, well that’s fine then there will be no issues if we put yellow lines in.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Dianne Alexander and plans approved.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter