SCOTRAIL and East Lothian Council have dismissed claims that both parties have been in talks about the possible sale of ScotRail’s North Berwick Railway Station car park to the local authority.

At this month’s meeting of North Berwick Community Council, a discussion was held about the car park, with a suggestion made that East Lothian Council was in talks with ScotRail with a view to purchasing the car park.

Some members believed this was in an effort to charge residents to park there once new parking charges were introduced in the town.

The council has gone back to the drawing board on its plans for proposed controlled parking zones in the town, which would see cars charged for parking in these areas for a prolonged period of time, amid a public backlash.

Members of the community council were concerned that charges for parking at the station could be introduced and could deter people from using the rail service.

'No discussion'

However, a spokesperson for East Lothian Council denied any discussions had taken place with ScotRail about the purchase of the car park.

A spokesperson for ScotRail confirmed this.

They said: “There has been no discussion on the future ownership of North Berwick station car park.”

The spokesperson said ScotRail knew of the parking consultation in the town and was liaising with the council on the matter.

They added: “ScotRail is aware of the parking consultation. As a consultee, some initial discussions have taken place surrounding the consultation and the potential impacts any changes to local parking arrangements may have on our parking provision and management.”