'Extremely disappointed' - Edinburgh City Council leader urges public not to use parks as 'rubbish dumps' and 'urinals'

Edinburgh City Council's leader has urged the public not to treat the city's parks and greenspaces as "rubbish dumps" and "urinals" after major concerns were raised by residents at the weekend.
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Adam McVey said he was "extremely disappointed" at scenes of litter strewn across areas like the Meadows during the sunshine on Saturday - adding further pressure to already stretched services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many locals took to social media to raise concerns about people urinating in parks with public toilets currently closed, as well as overflowing bins and disposable barbecues which scorch the grass.

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This interactive map shows every public toilet currently open in the UK
Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey is disappointed by what happened on Saturday. Pictures: John Mitchell/Twitter and JPI MediaEdinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey is disappointed by what happened on Saturday. Pictures: John Mitchell/Twitter and JPI Media
Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey is disappointed by what happened on Saturday. Pictures: John Mitchell/Twitter and JPI Media
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But the council's depute leader Cammy Day has revealed they are now "examining" the possibility of reopening some public toilets.

Video footage from Saturday also showed large gatherings of people in the Meadows who were clearly in breach of the Scottish Government's guidance to meet with two other households in groups of no more than eight.

Mr McVey said: "The warm spell over the weekend and entering the next phase of the Scottish Government’s route map understandably made our parks, beaches and greenspaces attractive places to visit. While we all want to make the most of the great outdoors safely, it’s important that everyone continues to follow national guidance, stays within the law and is mindful of our shared responsibility to keep Edinburgh clean and tidy – for all our benefit.

“The pictures of the litter in our parks and greenspaces are extremely disappointing and add further pressure to our already stretched services as we continue to work through this pandemic. Our parks are not rubbish dumps, nor are they urinals.”

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Crime writer Ian Rankin, who lives beside the Meadows, was among those to witness people urinating behind bins there on Saturday and, on twitter, he described the scene as “non-stop micturition.”

One follower posted on the author’s twitter thread to describe Meadows Lane smelling like "like a public toilet" and a "river of urine flowing down the lane."

And one park-goer at the Meadows told The Evening News that some people appeared to be using a 'pop-up' toilet tent, and described seeing many people not sticking to the two metre social distancing rule and a notable lack of police patrols.

But police said community officers were on patrol to engage and explain the legislation and guidance, and that reports of public urination were received and when someone was caught they were issued with an on-the-spot fine.

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Council depute leader Cammy Day said: “Everyone needs to play their part. Please make sure you dispose of your rubbish properly, putting it in an on-street bin or taking it home if the bin’s already full. After all, if you can carry your belongings to the park or beach, you can manage to take them home again.

“We’re currently examining whether we can reopen at least some of our public toilets safely but we can’t and won’t compromise on people’s health – or on our role in keeping the virus under control. We’re working extremely hard to continue delivering services to those that need them most – and we need your support. You’ve respected the rules up until now, please don’t stop.”

Mr McVey said previously that all public toilets in Edinburgh are closed because it is “not possible” to operate them safely, although this is under review. He said that guidance from Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Government says people should only be travelling to places where they can get back home to the toilet easily.