Residents in Edinburgh are frustrated as fly tipping disrupts their community, leaving them feeling hopeless and overwhelmed by the mess.
Edinburgh: Residents in a housing scheme are really feeling the impact of fly tipping. It’s been a constant issue, and it’s driving them up the wall.
Keir Liddle, 43, and his partner Amanda Gilmour moved into their flat on Wardieburn Street East during the pandemic. They thought they’d found a nice place, but things quickly took a turn.
When they first viewed the flat, they noticed some rubbish but were told it would be cleared for a local bonfire. They didn’t think much of it back then.
Fast forward three years, and the area is a mess. They’re dealing with everything from used nappies to old furniture dumped in their shared green space.
This area is supposed to be for everyone living on Wardieburn Street East and nearby streets. It used to be a nice spot for hanging out and even had community gardens.
Now, it’s a nightmare. Keir has had to pick up used condoms and other trash with a litter picker. It’s not just unsightly; it’s attracting pests, making it almost impossible for families to enjoy the space.
While the council has come out a few times to clean up, Keir says it’s not enough. They often have to beg for help, and even then, the mess returns quickly.
He believes everyone—homeowners, tenants, and the council—needs to work together to stop this from happening in the first place.
Keir mentioned that when they complain, they often hear about budget issues. He even suggested putting up CCTV to catch the culprits, but that idea didn’t go anywhere.
They’ve had some community events and posters about fly tipping, but it hasn’t made a difference. The rubbish keeps piling up, and it’s mostly the same types of trash.
Keir feels that if the council made the area look nicer, it might discourage people from dumping their rubbish. He’s frustrated that while the council is busy with big projects in other parts of Granton, their area is being ignored.
He’s tried to tackle the issue, but it feels like he’s hitting a brick wall. It’s disheartening to pay a mortgage and see the problem just get worse.
Keir thinks it’s awful that a small number of people are ruining things for everyone else. He’s never seen anyone actually fly tipping, but he suspects it’s just a few individuals causing the mess.
Both Keir and Amanda love their community and want to stay in Granton, but they’re calling for action to make it a better place to live.
Amanda is also frustrated. She sees the ongoing fly tipping as a sign of laziness and a lack of care for the community. While she appreciates the council’s efforts to improve the area, it’s disappointing to see it treated so poorly.
Edinburgh Council has guidelines for dealing with fly tipping. They say they’ll investigate and clean up on public land, but if it’s on private property, the owner has to deal with it.
They can issue fines for fly tipping, but it seems like the problem is still getting worse. The council has been contacted about this situation.
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