Porty funfair set for return, despite fears over gang violence

Published on Tuesday 4 March 2008 09:17

A TRAVELLING fair which caused an uproar when it came to Portobello last Easter looks set to return, despite almost 140 complaints from local residents.

Protesters say it brought "gang warfare" to their streets and claim to have witnessed fights involving up to 100 youths.

They have started a petition, and are hoping that it will help block the fair's operators M&D from returning to the former ScottishPower site over the Easter holidays this year.

The city council, however, is set to rule that the fair can stay, providing the operators stick to new guidelines.

After dozens of noise complaints related to last year's two-week stint, the council has stipulated that no music will be allowed on the rides nearest to houses, and all music will also have to stop at 9pm, with the site at Fishwives Causeway being cleared by 9.30pm – an hour earlier than the operators had originally hoped.

But the additional rules have given little comfort to residents living near to the site, just off Portobello High Street.

They have written to the licensing department urging it to reject the application for the fun fair from March 21 to April 6.

Nick Stroud, who lives on the Promenade, said: "When this funfair operated last year I believe it caused a great deal of distress to people living in its vicinity, and worse, it attracted gangs of youths who caused physical harm to local young people.

"It would of course be totally unacceptable to grant a licence to enable anyone to make money out of an activity which results in significant harm to innocent residents and passers-by."

Portobello and Craigmillar councillor Maureen Child also wrote to the licensing department on behalf of residents, particularly those on Baileyfield Road, which is adjacent to the site.

She said: "The experience was most upsetting for nearby local residents. People using the rides were able to see into the back rooms of the residents' (properties), they were exposed to verbal abuse and felt unsafe.

"This activity should not take place so near to where people live."

Doreen Swanson, who lives on Baileyfield Road, added that last year's event caused "a large volume of noise and disturbance".

However, the travelling fair has gained some support in Portobello – a Save Your Funfair petition has been signed by 28 people, while Noble Leisure and Lothian Amusements which operate on the Promenade have also written to show their support.

A spokeswoman for M&D said: "We received excellent feedback from the many families that attended and also from surrounding businesses.

"Therefore, we decided that it would be a great opportunity to bring family fun back to Portobello again this Easter."

&#149 www.scotlandsthemepark.com

&#149 Edinburgh City Council website