A CRACKDOWN on "out-of-control" street clutter in the Royal Mile is being called for.

The Old Town Association says the situation has become chaotic – and a potential danger.

Residents claim racks of cheap tartan goods and souvenirs are spoiling the appearance of the historic street, and even forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.

And they say the city council's strict rules on shop fronts and appearances are "pointless", since many of them are covered in rails of goods for sale.

Robin Tait, editor of the Old Town Association newsletter, is leading calls for stricter enforcement.

He said the situation had become "chaotic" in areas such as the Lawnmarket.

He said: "We're not complaining about a rack of cards, it's just that it's got out of control. This is a safety issue as well. There are so many clothing rails in the Lawnmarket, you sometimes have to walk on the road.

"There's a bus stop at the same spot as all the clutter. It's absolutely chaotic.

"The crackdown was very successful on the High Street last year, but over Christmas and New Year it's all appeared again. The council has got legislation, but they need to enforce it."

Mr Tait said another issue was that many shops were covering their windows and doorways with goods on display. He said: "Careful control is maintained over shop signs and external lighting. It seems pointless to maintain these high standards when in many cases the shop frontage is almost completely obscured by goods for sale.

"The problem is, there's no legislation that covers it."

Bill Cowan, planning secretary of the Old Town Association, said the number and size of A-boards in the street had already been tackled but regulation was needed to help clean up the clutter from the pavements. He added: "Some of the shops have attractive displays of goods on the pavement. The problem is the big racks of plastic things and cheap tartan goods, but we don't want to discriminate against one type of shop. There needs to be some control to stop them taking over the pavement."

But some shopkeepers say the criticism is unjustified, and taking goods inside will harm business.

John Brown, who works at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, said: "I think this is a bit of a nonsense. It's good business to have goods on display outside. It definitely attracts people to come in.

"If we don't have our baskets outside, then sales go down. There are a few shops that put too much out, but the streets are wide enough for people to get down."

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said the council is committed to maintaining safe footpaths and would be cracking down on premises flouting the rules.

He said: "In October 2007, a highly successful enforcement action was carried out in the Old Town and the local neighbourhood team plan to continue a programme of enforcement around the city centre area this year.

"The guidelines are enforced to ensure the safety of pedestrians using the city's pavements."

Previous Tollcross Articles
History in the classroom
Scottish Sausage Taste Off at Edinburgh Farmers’ Market
Office block to be razed as prime site due for revamp