Resident hits out at council after Drumbrae fields left strewn with litter

A Clermiston resident has berated Edinburgh City Council for allowing greenfields to be littered with debris from a communal bin hub at Drumbrae Leisure centre.

Colin Mackay, who walks his dogs regularly at the fields adjacent to Drum Brae Crescent, had said that he has been looking for someone to accept responsibility for the clean up for the past 15 months.

He said that after complaining to local councillors and his MSP he fears the issue will never be resolved as both conceded that it was an SNP/Labour administration issue.

The local dog walker had said that the council had offered to send clean up teams in the past but this does not resolve the issue.

He said: “I have a great concern over the refuse containers sited at Drumbrae Leisure Centre. I consider this site as entirely inappropriate as the area is subject to the wind and weather extremes causing rubbish to be strewn all over the place.

“To combat this problem I would suggest moving to a more appropriate location. Failing this I would suggest some shelter is constructed around the bins. I have never written to a Councillor or MSP before but I feel something must be done to eliminate this eyesore.”

Alex Cole Hamilton, Edinburgh Western MSP, said: "I've tried repeatedly to encourage the council to action on the issues that Mr McKay has raised with me. As the local MSP my reach here is limited as the responsibility is entirely that of the SNP led council, nevertheless I take it very seriously.

"As with other issues like the state of our roads and pavements, this administration seems wholly disinterested in the normal functioning and upkeep of our beautiful city."

Rubbish strewn fields by Drumbrae Crescent

Councillor Karen Doran, environment vice-convener, said: “We’ve been getting reports of fly tipping in this area and our cleansing team will make sure that the mess is cleaned up.

“These bins are meant for recycling for local people and some selfish individuals have been dumping their domestic waste there. The bins then overflow due to fly tipping and the rubbish is blown across to the neighbouring grassy area.

“Enforcement action will be taken when there is sufficient evidence to identify who is responsible for fly tipping and we step up patrols where we can in areas where it is reported.”

A message from the Editor:

Where the litter is expected to come from

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