Rubbish on streets is a blight on the Capital

Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh
Sienna Gardens — Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh Sienna Gardens

'˜THIS is not a dumping ground' blares a council sign in block capitals.

Residents of Sienna Gardens in Sciennes could perhaps appreciate the irony – if the rubbish-strewn pavement beneath wasn’t so foul.

And it’s a scene that’s repeated across vast swathes of the Capital.

Since the Evening News first highlighted the growing litter problem at the end of last month, hundreds of readers have sent in their complaints, pictures and horror stories.

Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh
outside Hanam's Restaurant on Johnston Terrace — Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh outside Hanam's Restaurant on Johnston Terrace

From rats scurrying along Old Town closes to bursting bin bags left uncollected for days on end, the response has been overwhelming.

Today we are pledging to keep a spotlight on the problem – in a bid to clean up our streets.

Overflowing bins outside Hanam’s Restaurant on Johnston Terrace, just yards from the historic battlements of Edinburgh Castle, present a particularly striking example of what’s gone wrong.

Manager Ali Obeid branded the mess “disgusting” and said it had been reported to the council multiple times.

Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh
Chamber street — Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh Chamber street

He told the News: “The council haven’t picked it up – it’s been days and days now. Why is the rubbish still like this? It’s just ridiculous.”

He said the eatery had paid thousands of pounds to provide outside seating, only for diners to be put off by the scattered junk.

“I think they have a serious problem with the [refuse] staff at the council,” he said. “They don’t really care – they just want to finish and go home.”

An internal council document leaked to the News on Monday revealed concerns that bin men are finishing their shifts up to four hours early – while complaints around missed bin collections soar. The private briefing note said refuse staff are failing to work their contracted hours, bringing the council “into disrepute”.

Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh
East Craigs bins — Overflowing rubbish bins - Edinburgh East Craigs bins

It blamed a long-standing practice known as “task and finish”, which sees bin men go home after completing their usual route, instead of working until the end of their shift.

Hanam’s isn’t the only business to raise concerns. Franco Margiotta, owner of Edinburgh grocery shop chain Margiotta, has repeatedly complained about the smell of domestic bins outside his store on Ashley Terrace.