Christine Jardine calls for more sites to reduce illegal encampments
Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine raises recent issues in Drumbrae when she calls on both the UK and Scottish Governments to relieve tensions between communities and travellers by improving designated sites in a parliamentary debate.
On Wednesday (11th September), Ms Jardine urged the Government to review how councils provide sufficient sites for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities after a number of residents raised concerns about a temporary illegal site at Drumbrae Leisure Centre in her constituency.
Ms Jardine wrote to Council officials, after residents had reported fly-tipping, illegal parking, and improper disposal of human waste during the travellers' stay.
Currently, City of Edinburgh Council provides a site for travellers to pitch at North Cairntow, with funding for redevelopment approved by the Council’s Finance Committee in 2021.
Ms Jardine hopes the debate will be an opportunity to discuss how other sites can be developed to create safe, welcoming and respectful environments for both travellers and permanent residents.
Christine Jardine said:
"This is a long-running issue for my constituents. The only way to address the tension that has been created in communities like Drumbrae is by providing sufficient legal sites.
"This site was inappropriate for both the local community and the travelling community, and the condition it was left in was not acceptable.
"I am pleased to see the Council is taking action to clean and restore the site, but this cannot happen again.
"That is will I will be calling for reasonable, designated places for travellers to stay, that are suitable for residents and travellers alike, and the funding and resources for our councils to support this urgent action."