Edinburgh's Seafield stench stops people going into their gardens during coronavirus lockdown

Calls for promised £10m investment to be speeded up

Scottish Water say essential maintenance is continuing at the sewage works

SCOTTISH Water has been urged to speed up promised investment in its Seafield sewage works after complaints that “disgusting” smells meant people were unable to go into their gardens during the coronavirus lockdown.

Residents who have put up with the notorious “Seafield stench” for decades welcomed January’s announcement of a £10m investment to reduce odours at the plant by increasing sludge storage at the site.

But they say a pungent stink prevented any outdoor respite from the lockdown over Easter and the week before.

Leith Labour councillor Gordon Munro said: “They sent round a note saying they were cleaning the tanks and they hoped it wouldn’t impact - but when I got the bus to Seafield Place, the driver opened the door and you could smell it right away.

“If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, that’s one of the things you can do to make the lockdown a bit more pleasant but you’re not able to do that. That’s just wrong.

“It’s high time that promised investment was made in this plant.”

Rob Kirkwood, of Leith Links residents association, said Veolia, who operate the plant for Scottish Water had said they wanted to clean the tanks before there were staff shortages. “That meant they cleaned the tanks when the wind was onshore, so the smells extended all the way down to Portobello and lingered in the air quite intensely for a whole week.

“We also want to know what they’re doing with the £10m they were given to build storage facilities for excrement There has been no word from them about progress.”

Jim Scanlon, chair of Leith Links community council, said 30 complaints had been channelled through their website to Scottish Water over the Easter weekend.

“People had a rotten weekend stuck in their houses, not able to open the windows or go outside because of the smell.

“Those lucky enough to have a garden had to retreat into their houses. And people going out for their hour’s exercise were having to go back in because of the stench of sewage.”

A Scottish Water spokeswoman said: “We have received an increase in odour complaints in the Seafield area recently and Scottish Water and Veolia apologise for this.

“Veolia began essential maintenance of the storm tanks at Seafield at the start of the current lockdown period. This work was paused as a result of a change in weather conditions and, in consultation with regulators, it was agreed it would be sensible to complete the remaining essential maintenance at the earliest opportunity.

“In order to mitigate the odour risk that continues until this maintenance is complete, we will take further operational measures over the coming days – including using chemical dosing – in order to help minimise the issue.

“We will have this resolved as quickly as possible and we will update stakeholders when this work will be carried out and completed. We thank our customers for their patience.”

She said Scottish Water was working with specialist consultants on the £10 million investment to improve Seafield.

And she promised: “A range of stakeholders, including the community, will be consulted on this.”