Liberal Democrat councillors have described parts of Edinburgh as resembling the horror film “The Day of the Triffids” after uncovering new figures showing a massive fall in the level of weed control across the city,
Cllr Kevin Lang challenged the Environment Convener after complaining the weeds situation across the Capital was getting out of control.
Answers to Kevin’s questions at this month’s full Council uncovered that the percentage of Edinburgh streets treated for weeds in the first six months had fallen in 12 of the 17 Council wards when compared to 2018.
In Corstorphine / Murrayfield ward, Colinton / Fairmilehead ward, and Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart ward, no weed control has been carried out at all this year. In the main city centre, only half of streets had been treated.
Cllr Kevin Lang said, “The weed situation is so bad that’s parts of the city are beginning to resemble the horror film, Day of the Triffids. It is little wonder the problem is worse when these new figures show a massive fall in the level of weed control compared to last year.
“Residents pay a lot of money each year in Council tax. It’s reasonable for them to expect the Council to clear weeds from their streets. It should not be complicated but it’s just the latest example of how this SNP, Labour administration running the City simply cannot get the basics right.”
The percentage of roads in each ward treated for weeds this year is shown below with the change from 2018.
- Almond – 75% (-5%)
- Pentland Hills – 100% (+40%)
- Drum Brae / Gyle – 20% (-80%)
- Forth – 100% (nc)
- Inverleith – 5% (-20%)
- Corstorphine / Murrayfield – 0% (-60%)
- Sighthill / Gorgie – 50% (-50%)
- Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart – 0% (-30%)
- Colinton / Fairmilehead – 0% (-50%)
- Morningside – 30% (-55%)
- City Centre – 50% (+15%)
- Leith Walk – 30% (-40%)
- Leith – 30% (nc)
- Craigentinny / Duddingston – 50% (+10%)
- Southside / Newington – 10% (-55%)
- Liberton / Gilmerton – 10% (-60%)
- Portobello / Craigmillar – 5% (-60%)