Letters: Tourism boom has downside for locals

One reader has their say in the letters section about tourists in the Capital.
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REGARDING your article ‘Action ordered to tackle the tourism boom’, (News, January 24), I would like to tell an everyday story of a somewhat disabled resident in the west end of the city.

During the festival and the Christmas-New Year seasons, the city becomes a virtual no-go area with parking restrictions and diversions as large parts are closed off to facilitate festival venues, fairground attractions and other entertainments for tourists and visitors.

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Tourists on the Royal Mile/High Street.Tourists on the Royal Mile/High Street.
Tourists on the Royal Mile/High Street.
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Being disabled I sometimes need parking facilities and will use my disabled badge. For approximately seven months in the year I cannot access and park without a great deal of trouble and risk getting a parking ticket.

The city at these times is overwhelmed and the streets are a madhouse of tourists with overnight trolleys and weekend parties who wander about and it becomes a minefield trying to void them.

The Old Town is overwhelmed and too crowded to be safe and these factors put off older and disabled residents from enjoying their own city and its facilities.

I see my city being turned into a cheap and vulgar overnight budget holiday venue. Blackpool’s Golden Mile comes to mind, along with cheap Scottish tat.

Tourists reach up to touch Greyfriars Bobby outside Greyfriars Kirk Edinburgh.Tourists reach up to touch Greyfriars Bobby outside Greyfriars Kirk Edinburgh.
Tourists reach up to touch Greyfriars Bobby outside Greyfriars Kirk Edinburgh.
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There is a short-term holiday let on the floor directly above me. On average there are two-three family groups a week, sometimes there is a larger group.

This means I experience approximately 104 groups a year who will often ring my bell to get access at any time, as I live on the ground floor.

It brings anti-social behaviour, noise and litter, smoking on the steps and occasionally petty stealing from my hallway.

Living in my city home is no longer a pleasant experience and many residents like me feel totally marginalised.

Michael B Munro-Dunn, Buckingham Terrace, Edinburgh