Tourist tax please!

Why am I not surprised that the garden waste charges in Edinburgh have so far generated only £1.3 million?

The cost of implementing the scheme is not going to be covered by the current charge of £25 even if all eligible binholders register, and I am sure the annual fee will soon rise to a higher price. The cost to the atmosphere of extra bonfires and of extra car trips to a recycling centre is not even mentioned.

Although garden waste collection is not a statutory service there is miserableness about this charge, given that the city council avidly supports parties for tourists but does not mend the roads properly or fill in the potholes that endanger cyclists and pedestrians and wreck car suspension.

The constant festival promotions and partyings may put money into the accounts of hoteliers, shopkeepers and guest house proprietors, but they do not reduce our council tax or make it easier for residents to go about their business.

Residents are being driven out of the city centre by hotels, by student and tourist accommodation, by noise and irresponsible crowds. Useful shops are giving way to coffee shops and tartan tat emporia. Even walking the pavements is an exhausting venture since there is no closed season on

visitors. Bring on the tourist tax.

A MORTON Dryden Place, Edinburgh

The chairman of Prestonpans Community Council believes it is possible to build improved facilities for cruise ships visiting Edinburgh (Letters, 26

July). Does our city really need any more tourists than we currently welcome?

Edinburgh is no fun in the peak season for we locals, and the introduction of direct flights from China has added even greater numbers (it seems) to our already overcrowded pavements and streets. Whatever financial benefits allegedly accrued have not been made manifest in the quality of the services provided by our city council.

E P CARRUTHERS New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh