Leith Walk has been a main area (at least the lower half up till now ) for much improvement in recent times with the council spending £9m on the Leith Programme. As a cyclist the lower part of Leith Walk is now a delight to use. Part of the remodelling was to find space in the street to site rubbish containers.
But it seems that no matter how many bins are installed for domestic waste there is still a need for more, or perhaps a need that the council empties them more often.
These pictures from Leith Walk this morning have been provided to us by Keith Hales who runs a barber’s business in Edinburgh. Keith has been involved in the remodelling of Leith Walk at all stages, and continues to express his disappointment in the way that the council deals with rubbish collection.
There is of course also the question about the people who simply dump their rubbish at the side of a bin rather than finding somewhere else to put it, but that requires a behavioural change which may take longer to address!
Keith said: “The issue of cleanliness of Leith Walk is not just down to the mismanagement of side loading vehicles. It is amazing the continued systemic problems in the waste department. This collection method was first mooted for Leith Walk nearly 3 years ago and firmed up 18 months ago.
“Emptying of litter bins along Leith Walk at times seems to be non-existent, leading to increased litter and rubbish on the Walk. This is only compounded by the reduced presence of street cleaning along the street.”
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds responded to Mr Hales: “Thank for bringing this to my attention. I have already asked the Acting Head of Waste to monitor the frequency and number of communal bins in Leith Walk and surrounding areas. I will get back to you when I have a reply. In the meantime I have asked for the communal bins you have highlighted to be serviced.”
If you see any overflowing bins anywhere in the city then do add them to our Rubbish storyboard here!
Photos courtesy of Keith Hales
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
