Reader Shaun Hodge has contacted us with a story of bureaucratic confusion and departmental inefficiency. It would be laughable if there weren't a real threat here to pedestrian safety. And, as the author concludes, it raises serious questions about accountability, inefficiency, and how public concerns are handled.
Hodge's admirable persistence is worth chronicling in full. His campaign unfolds below, told in his own words and images. Council officers' names have been obscured by us in line with Spurtle policy.
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I wanted to bring to your attention a serious public safety hazard at Gayfield Square which Edinburgh City Council has repeatedly failed to resolve, despite nearly 9 months of complaints. This issue highlights not only a blatant disregard for public safety but also an alarming level of inefficiency and poor complaint-handling within the Council.
For too long now, a large steel sheet [124cm x 280cm] has been obstructing a key pedestrian footway at Gayfield Square, near Leith Walk. It is too heavy for one person to move, creating a dangerous trip hazard – particularly for elderly residents and those with mobility challenges. Several people have already tripped over it, yet the Council has ignored repeated calls for action.
Despite multiple complaints, follow-ups and even a formal complaint, the issue has been shuffled between departments with no resolution. Edinburgh Trams has since confirmed that the Council’s own maintenance team is responsible for removing it – yet still, nothing has been done. The Council has repeatedly missed its own deadlines and service-level agreements, demonstrating a shocking lack of accountability.
For a city council that claims to be focused on saving £30m this year, it is astonishing how much money and time they waste processing the same complaints instead of simply resolving them. This isn’t just an isolated case – it speaks to a wider failure in how the Council manages public safety concerns and handles complaints from residents.
Timeline of events
• 12 May 2024 I first reported the hazard to the Council via their official X account, highlighting that the metal sheet was obstructing accessibility and causing people to trip. The Council responded and provided job number 1752470.
• 21 June 2024 I followed up with a photograph showing the sheet’s worsening position. The Council replied that it had been passed to Edinburgh Trams. I challenged whether this would resolve the issue, and [A] from the Council’s team assured me it had been escalated to a manager.
• 5 August 2024 I submitted another enquiry with a new photograph and the original reference number. [J] from the Council’s team said he would chase up the issue.
• 28 September 2024 I contacted the Council again, referencing the numerous times I had reported the hazard. I warned that this would be my final attempt before escalating to my MP, Tracy Gilbert. Despite my plea for urgent action, I received no response.
• November 2024 I formally submitted a complaint via the Council’s website. [G] from the complaints team contacted Edinburgh Trams, but when progress stalled, I contacted Edinburgh Trams directly. [D] from their team clarified that the Council’s own maintenance team was responsible for removal.
• 11 November 2024 I messaged [G] again, providing a screenshot of [D’s] response and requesting a timeline for resolution.
• 21 November 2024 After receiving no response, I followed up again. Still no reply, and the steel sheet remained in place, continuing to pose a risk to residents.
• 1 February 2025 I emailed the Council once more, highlighting the continued lack of action. I requested that my complaint be reopened and escalated to a senior manager. The Council acknowledged my email and promised a response within five working days. That deadline has now passed, with no reply and no action taken.
Why this matters
This is not just a minor inconvenience – it is an ongoing safety hazard that puts pedestrians at risk daily. The fact that the Council has failed to address such a straightforward issue after nearly nine months of persistent chasing-up is deeply concerning. It raises serious questions about accountability, inefficiency, and how public concerns are handled.
I believe this is an important local issue which deserves a spotlight in the Broughton Spurtle.
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