Match cash to fight stench, says Chisholm

Published on Friday 6 June 2008 10:45

A LOCAL politician has called on the Scottish Government to match the money being invested by Scottish Water to tackle the notorious Seafield stench.

Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm said the 18 million of works currently planned at the sewage treatment plant would only remove 69 per cent of the smells endured by nearby residents for years.

But he claimed a further 16m would pay for the tanks and all other areas which are producing smells to be covered over.

Mr Chisholm said: "During last year's Scottish election campaign, Alex Salmond promised, on camera, that the SNP would once and for all fix the problem.

"For this to happen, the primary settlement tanks must be covered, as demanded by the Leith Links Residents Association."

But a Scottish Government spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate for us to match funding when there is an existing PFI contract in place."