Spring clean for the Royal Mile
A team joined forces this morning to clean up one of Edinburgh’s most iconic streets for residents, visitors and tourists alike. Volunteers and Council staff gave the Royal Mile its annual spring clean, tackling issues like graffiti, litter-dropping and fly-posting. The Edinburgh Reporter met Katie Swann Partnership Development Officer and Julie Easton Community Safety Officer for the Old Town who were busy getting rid of graffiti on the street signs.
The event, which is now in its third year, aims to improve the environment on the world-famous Old Town street as well as encouraging the public and stakeholders to take care of their surroundings.
Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “The Royal Mile spring clean has been a success year-on-year and proves just how much people care about this historic street.
“It’s great to see volunteers come together with Council staff for the good of the local area, benefitting both the community and visitors by tackling issues like litter and graffiti to create a welcoming atmosphere.”
The latest clean-up attracted dozens of volunteers, including groups from the University of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Friends of Canongate Kirkyard, as well as local neighbourhood staff, and builds on efforts by local businesses throughout the year to keep the area clean.
Among the work carried out along the Royal Mile, including the Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate, was the removal of graffiti, litter-picking, cleaning street furniture like phone boxes and utility boxes and tackling fly-posting.
The freshen-up follows a series of community events held as part of the Clean Up Edinburgh campaign, which encouraged the public to play their part by joining in on litter-picks around the city.
The High Street section of the Royal Mile is also part of a trade waste pilot, which means that businesses must present their trade waste during specified time slots, reducing the negative environmental impact of containers left on the street.
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