Action at last! - Work begins to rid Leith of Seafield Stench

10.10.44pm GMT Mon 9th Nov 2009

Cllr Marjorie Thomas welcomed the start of the works

Today (Monday 9th November) was a memorable one for residents of Leith and particularly those living near Leith Links, with work starting on the £20 million pound Odour Improvement Plan to rid Leith of the smells from Seafield.

The Odour Improvement Plan approved by City of Edinburgh Council involves the delivery of significant capital works at the Seafield WWTW, aimed at building on the investment already made at the treatment plant, targeting those areas of the plant that contribute the most to odour emissions from the site.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Marjorie Thomas for Leith said, "For decades, the lives of Leithers have been blighted with the smells from Seafield. Promises have been made but still the smells have continued.

"Today is a watershed - at last real money has been committed, in fact this is one of the largest investments made by Scottish Water in years."

The Lib Dem led Administration agreed the OIP (Odour Improvement Plan) several months ago at its Environment Committee and will continue to monitor progress. This will ensure that during the work everyone remains vigilant, so that there is no increase in the number odours being reported.

The work will take two years , and is due for completion in Spring 2011.