More resources pledged to tackle overflowing bins at tourist spots

Overflowing litter bins in Fife’s East Neuk have prompted a pledge of more resources at weekends.

East Neuk and Landward councillor Bill Porteous claimed weekend visitors to the popular tourist areas were being greeted with the sight of bins bursting at the seams.

Fife Council has said it will review its weekend working arrangements and promised to tackle problem areas.

Among the spots flagged up by Mr Porteous were Anstruther and Crail harbours, where he said gulls were spreading the overflowing waste across the ground.

He said: “As a result of a lack of seven-day bin emptying and staff cutbacks, Fife’s Council’s aim of making Fife a premier tourist destination is just not being followed up on the ground and in our streets.

“Surely if household rubbish contracts allow seven-day working then the same should apply to street cleaning staff?

“Let’s not make Fife an eyesore for tourists and an embarrassment for locals.”

Damien Woods, the council’s parks, streets and open spaces service manager, said: “We have a team working every weekend to empty litter bins in the north-east Fife area.

“However, we recognise that we need to review how our teams are working to provide better provision where it’s needed most and particularly at the weekends.

“We’ll be carrying out this review over the next few weeks and, in the meantime, I’ve arranged for more resources to be deployed in the areas Councillor Porteous has highlighted.”

Councillor Bill Porteous beside one of the overflowing bins.