A community worker in Wester Hailes has called on Edinburgh City Council to lead by example and fix the litter issue plaguing the working class community.
Maryanne Jacobs says she returned to Wester Hailes two years ago and over that time she has seen the streets deteriorate.
She has called on the council to clean up the area so that residents can have a sense of pride in their community.
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The impacted area is said to stretch from Walkers Wynd to Murrayburn Place close to the Westside Plaza shopping centre.
“The issue is the council do not and have not done regular spring clear ups to set examples to the community,” Maryann said.
“We live in a world of abundance, yet haven’t created a manageable system to support the more vulnerable people in the community when it comes to waste management. The council owns the property and land therefore they should be held accountable for the examples set to the community.
“Some of these streets have been reported over a year ago! One woman said she reported a sofa about four years ago and it rotted before it even got picked up.
“I’ve only returned to Wester Hailes in the last two years and since then I have witnessed a mass decline in the streets. People have lost hope.
“I would love to tell the people that their voice matters in their community. The council owes it to them to do their job by caring for the land they own.
“They walk the walk and we as a community will follow. It is heartbreaking for kids to see the litter stretching from Walkers Wynd right down by the school and all the way to Murrayburn Place at the Plaza.
“I urge the council to set the standards and we as a community will follow. Wester Hailes is a thriving community.
“One that seeks for the greater good of its people. Amazing things are happening in Wester Hailes.
“Together we can support each other but the council needs to do much more. Spring is upon us and we want to enjoy the flowers, not human created mess.”
Images shared with Edinburgh Live show household items such as hoovers, drawers and tables dumped in vegetation.
Other areas are covered by general litter such as empty crisp packets and fizzy juice bottles as well as cigarette butts.
Edinburgh City Council have admitted that the waste teams in the capital are operating with insufficient funds but argued that Wester Hailes is cleaned as regularly as other areas.
Cllr Scott Arthur Environment Convener said: “Public areas in all neighbourhoods across the city are cleaned by the Council on a weekly basis including Wester Hailes.
"This is in addition to regular kerbside and communal bin collections for waste from people’s homes. I accept, however, that staff are currently delivering this service with insufficient resources and we’ll soon publish steps to address this.
“We’d ask everyone to report missed bin collections and overflowing bins/fly tipping and make sure they dispose of their waste correctly.
"For larger items, take them to one of our recycling centres and if that is not possible residents can use our special uplift service.
“I’d also like to thank all of the community groups we work with across the city who regularly carry out litter picks. The Council provides these groups with equipment and arranges for the waste collected to be disposed of correctly.
"If anyone is interested in getting involved to clear up their area you can go to the waste and cleansing section of the Council’s website to find out more.”
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