Waste collection services will now resume in Edinburgh following nearly two weeks of bin strikes across the city.
A huge clean-up operation has now begun in the capital after scenes of overflowing rubbish and bins became a common sight in the city centre after workers took industrial action. Fighting for better wages in a pay protest, Edinburgh waste workers first went on strike on August 18, with the impact of their action quickly being felt across the city.
Bin collections and street cleaning will now resume on Tuesday, August 30, as the strikes spread to other parts of Scotland. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Council leader Cammy Day said he had seen some of the first clean up operations begin shortly after 6.30am, with both kerbside and communal collections now underway.
READ MORE - Midlothian girl, nine, 'grabbed' by man in park as police hunt attacker
Public Health Scotland previously warned the build-up of waste could become a risk to human health, and told councils that "decontamination of public areas where bins have overflowed may be required".
Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day said: "All of our waste and cleansing crews will return to normal service on Tuesday.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
"While they'll be working hard to catch up on collections and making every effort to collect litter across the city, we're expecting things to take a little while to return to normal, and I'd like to thank all those living in, working in or visiting the city for their patience.
"At first we'll be focusing street cleansing resources on the worst affected areas of the city and to help with this we will be bringing in additional resources to supplement our in-house crews from Tuesday.
"As per Public Health Scotland's advice, any areas that need to be decontaminated will be, as part of street cleansing duties."
Additional resources will be deployed to support in cleaning up the city, the council said, particularly in the centre and other areas that have been most impacted by the strike.
READ MORE
- Mum gobsmacked after neighbour takes photos of her home and posts them on Instagram
- Edinburgh property: Inside the 8 bedroom home on the market for £2.6 million
- Strictly Come Dancing's Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton expecting first baby
- Mum slams neighbour for 'demanding money' from her son after accident
- Edinburgh school nominated for 'Best Public School' in prestigious UK awards
