NEW TOWN TWEETS FOR CLEANER STREETS

As recently reported here, getting the right number of the right-sized communal bins in the right places is only half the battle when it comes to keeping New Town streets clean.

Next you have to fill them correctly, and find a way to get the Council to clear up the results of any spillage or misuse.

It’s a formula which ought to work fine, but all too often is disrupted by selfish individuals, short-term residents who don’t understand the system, and administrative overstretch. And seagulls.

Now, though, locals have taken the initiative with a newly formed New Town Clean Streets Campaign (NTCSC).

The idea is for people to follow the Campaign on Twitter (@NTCleanStreets), and tweet their own photos/locations of rubbish-strewn areas to the City Centre & Leith Neighbourhood Partnership.

In the glare of publicity, they mean to hold the Council to its undertaking to clear up mess within 48 hours of it being reported. By doing so, they will also provide officials with a better, more timely understanding of the problem's extent and nature.

The group has already awarded its first Golden Marigold to applaud this sign in Scotland Street. Meanwhile, some members also plan to have a quiet, polite word in the ear of anyone they find using the bins inappropriately. They accept, however, that there is bound to be a bedding-in period on those streets where folk are getting to grips with communal bins or gull-proof sacks for the first time.

At present, its members are based around the Northern New Town and Forth Street, but the geographical spread is expected to grow as more people respond to judicious distribution of – ahem – biodegradable handbills (see foot of page).

NTCSC has plans to cover an area bounded by Howe, Heriot, Albany, Forth and St Vincent Streets, East Broughton Place, Mansfield Place, Bellevue Crescent, Royal Crescent and Fettes Row.

We shall see how it takes off. So long as it doesn't all become too curtain-twitchingly Swiss for comfort, Spurtle will support the initiative and would like to see it extend beyond the New Town. Managing waste across Broughton will always work best when individuals don’t just sit back and wait for the Council to do everything, but actively take some responsibility themselves. 

In related news, see Greener Leith's report on litter, fly-tipping and dog-fouling fines in Leith Central and Leith Walk wards (Edinburgh's dirtiest).

What do you think of the new campaign? Tell us your thoughts by email: spurtle@hotmail.co.uk or Twitter: @theSpurtle or Facebook: Broughton Spurtle 

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Email from Mark Reynier:

Spilled rubbish is Edinburgh's not-so-secret shame.

One would have thought that basic civic pride would persuade the Council to have a SWAT team in a van patrolling, ready to pounce (or to be called in) on over-filled bins to prevent the broken bag, spilled rubbish issue.

With the windy streets, 48 hours for a clear up is 48 hours too long.

@theSpurtle 48 hours response time? Oh if only... Took 3.5 weeks for me to get CEC to get trade waste co to empty their overflowing bin