Edinburgh residents have been left fuming over burnt grass from BBQs and mess left across the Meadows just '40ft away from a bin'.
After the warm summer weather the capital has experienced recently, many residents rush to the popular city centre park to soak up the sunshine, sitting in large groups having picnics on the grass with friends.
It's often after weather like this the city park gets littered with discarded food and drink packaging. Carelessly left for somebody else to clean up.
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On Friday July 8 the city enjoyed peaks of 23 degrees and sunny spells all day but one local resident was left raging after revellers out enjoying the sun left litter strewn across the grass - despite the fact there is a large wheelie bin just 40 metres away.
Parts of the lush green grass have also been damaged from disposable BBQs that leave charcoal black burnt squares on the lush green grass.
Unfortunately, this is a recurring issue, cropping up every summer with complaints from frustrated residents and was especially bad during lockdown which saw the community coming together to clean the park.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live Local resident, Alex Orr, said: "It is lovely seeing the Meadows being enjoyed as it should, but the mess, as well as the scorch marks being left by disposable barbecues, is deeply disappointing.
“Lighting barbecues on the grass is not allowed under the council’s park management rules, and better signage reinforcing this would not go amiss.
“It also is not too much to ask people to dispose of their rubbish, with a bin sitting a mere 40 feet away from where most of the mess was.
"Even if full, people should be taking their rubbish away, and not selfishly leave it on the Meadows for others to deal with. “The Meadows is a deeply cherished place and we must all work together to protect what we have.”
Lighting barbecues on the grass is prohibited under the council's park management rules, which say:
"BBQs, Fire and Camping
"The following acts are prohibited: 6.1 Lighting barbecues outwith designated barbecue sites, where these are provided, or in areas or in a manner likely to burn or scorch the ground or cause danger or nuisance to other Park users or neighbouring residents."
The Meadows has designated barbecue areas on raised concrete areas, but they're not widely used as people prefer to sit on the grass.
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The fire service have provided the following guidance to people who insist on barbecuing on the Meadows:
* Make sure your barbecue site is flat and away from fences, trees and sheds.
* All BBQ’s should be raised from grass areas to avoid burning or scalding
* Keep a bucket of water or large bottle of water nearby, in case of emergencies.
* Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about five centimetres (two inches).
* Never use petrol or paraffin to start, or revive your barbecue – use only barbecue firelighters or starter fuel on cold coals.
* Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
* Do not leave the barbecue unattended.
* After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it.
* Hot ashes can melt a plastic wheelie bin and can cause a fire.
* Avoid alcohol if you are in charge of a barbecue.
* Use one of the two designated BBQ bins on the meadows (Middle Meadows Walk/Bruntsfield links)
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