Bins overflowing as collections cut

STREETS already ranked among the dirtiest in the city are only having half the bin collections they are entitled to, fed-up residents said today.

Residential roads in and around Leith are having general waste and recycling bins collected just once a week, when it should be double that.

And residents and politicians claimed that the neglect is making what are already regarded as the filthiest streets in Edinburgh even worse.

Edinburgh North and Leith Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz said the situation had got to such a point that people's health was at risk and rats were being attracted.

He cited Pitt Street as a particularly bad example for overflowing bins.

"I've had quite a few complaints about this in the Leith area over the last few weeks," he said.

"I am obviously concerned not just about the untidiness, but the potential health hazard from vermin as well. The fact that I've had a number of complaints of this type suggests this is not an isolated incident.

"I emphasise I am not criticising the refuse collectors, they have a hard job. I am concerned that the council may have made budget cuts which make it impossible to meet commitments."

One resident of Pitt Street, Bill Hannah, said the recycling bins were supposed to be emptied twice a week, but in the last month they were only attended to every seven days. "They are full to the brim," he said. "It would appear on the surface that no-one in authority gives a damn.

"I have contacted the department responsible three times to no avail; the bins get emptied on a Tuesday, then ignored until the following Tuesday, and in the meantime the bins overflow and the street becomes the recipient."

It has been well documented that streets in the Leith ward consistently finish bottom of cleanliness league tables, and the pavements of neighbouring Leith Walk usually finish second bottom.

Leith councillor Gordon Munro, who has long campaigned on the issue, said although bin collections were a factor, people had to take responsibility as well.

"It's being going on for some time now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better," he said. "The problem is affecting general waste bins and recycling bins, it is a real concern in the area. Overflowing bins are just one of the reasons the ward scores so poorly."

In a response to Mr Hannah, Ryan McEwan, the council's community recycling adviser, said: "These bins are scheduled to be emptied twice a week, every week. It could be that the bins are occasionally being missed by our crews and as a result the bins are overflowing between servicing. This obviously creates a negative impression to residents as they assume the bins are not being serviced regularly.

"I will investigate this matter and monitor the bins to ensure they are being serviced by both our crew and contractor on the correct days and look into increasing the frequency to three times a week if needed."

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