It's a burning issue as BBQs scorch Meadows

Published on Friday 12 June 2009 10:10

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect one of Edinburgh's best-used public parks are now battling against a new threat – disposable barbecues.

The recent sunny weather has seen hundreds of people flock to the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links, with barbecues being set up across the parkland.

But what may seem like harmless fun to those concerned has resulted in dozens of patches of grass being destroyed.

Calls are now being made for specific barbecue points to be created within the park in a bid to prevent a summer's worth of scorched grass and accidents.

The Friends of the Meadows group says the problem has escalated since signs prohibiting barbecues were removed from the Meadows two years ago.

But they say the recent sunny spell has highlighted just how bad it is, with up to 26 barbecues having been counted by members at any one time.

Campaigners say the scorched grass is an eyesore and claim the damaged grass could take up to four years to recover.

They are also concerned about the health and safety risks as many of the disposable barbecues are left as they are too hot to move. They claim a young child burnt his foot badly one summer as a result.

Friends of the Meadows committee member Hilary McDowell, from Newington, said: "It's been a problem for years and obviously it depends what the weather's like.

"There used to be no barbecue notices up and they have largely been removed, probably due to the difficulty of enforcing it.

"There are various proposals that have been made, including putting down concrete slabs so people could use them. But that doesn't deal with all the smoke and other pollution problems.

"The main problem though is the damage to the grass because it isn't repaired and it is just hoped that it will recover naturally."

The issues of disposable barbecues is the latest concern to be raised by the group, who have campaigned tirelessly to limit the number of events held in the Meadows because of the damage caused to the grass.

Just last month they had some good news when city councillors ruled that all events are to banned from the park next year until a plan to protect it is agreed.

However, the Chinese State Circus and Lady Boys of Bangkok events – which the campaign group says cause the most damage – will still go ahead this year.

Friends of the Meadows committee members were set to meet with the council's parks officials today to try to come up with a solution to the barbecue problem.

Paul Godzik, Labour councillor for Meadows and Morningside, said: "I am keen for the issue to be investigated.

"Barbecue points would be one solution that helps protect the parks."

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of the concerns raised regarding the use of barbeques in our parks and are working with local community groups towards identifying a workable solution."