Midlothian locals have hit out after several abandoned caravans within an old leisure centre car park have become an 'eye sore' and a 'risk to the public'.
Several caravans have been left for weeks in the car park of the old Mayfield Leisure Centre, with locals saying one had previously been set on fire and the council have been contacted numerous times to remove them before more damage is done.
The car park on Mayfield Place is a sight for sore eyes as the derelict and smashed up caravans have been left and according to locals, attracted vandals in recent weeks, with broken glass lying beside them and the windows smashed.
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Robert Hogg, the Chairman of Mayfield & Easthouses Community Council, posted a video and numerous images of the caravans on Facebook earlier in the week, saying he was fed up of the council not doing anything to resolve the issue.
Robert said: "These caravans at the old Mayfield Leisure Centre car park owned by Midlothian Council have been reported and after two weeks there is still nothing happening. They are a health and safety matter as children play in this area."
Shown in the images, various other bits of debris and broken glass can be seen in the car park that backs onto a housing estate.
According to other locals, school kids have been going in to the caravans during their breaks as they are easily accessible.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Robert added: "As you can see from the images, children can access the caravans as windows and doors are open and broken as there were children and teenagers in them at the weekend. They are both a health and safety and fire risk.
Robert added that he thinks the caravans actually have owners, but they have lied abandoned for months and that since the leisure centre shut down, there has been a string of similar issues.
He continued: "I think they have owners but tracing them could be difficult as they have been there for months, they're not fit for the road and have been a problem for years now since the leisure centre was shut down. The previous caravan was set on fire after us complaining and telling the council and police to move them in case this happened but they did not listen. It was trashed and set on fire."
Midlothian Council confirmed that they are currently investigating the caravans after a new environmental enforcement strategy was recently approved to tackle incidents such as this.
A council spokesman said: "Midlothian Council recently approved an Environmental Crime Enforcement Strategy, which extends abandoned vehicles to include caravans. Protective Services are currently investigating and will take appropriate enforcement action where required."
