Report a street problem · Leith

What “done” looks like

The fault is logged; you have a reference, dated photos, and either a repair or a clear written reason.

Effort: 30–90 minutes this week, plus 10 minutes to chase later

Why this matters here

Leith · this ward only

Street faults hit Leith residents every day. Use CSS Crime and Assets for context if helpful, but your report must be about one exact place you can pin.

Before you start

Pick ONE fault only for this run.
Photos of place only: no faces, no children.
Do not confront anyone.
If dangerous, call council emergency as well as reporting online.

Letter for this ward

Prefills this ward. Fill the square brackets, then send. Councillor inboxes are not held — use WriteToThem.

Send to

Street fault in Leith — request for inspection and repair

Subject: Street fault in Leith — request for inspection and repair

Dear Councillors,

I am a resident of Leith ward (City of Edinburgh).

I am asking about one exact fault at [PLACE / STREET]. I have [photos / a FixMyStreet or council reference: insert].

Held public figures for this ward (Community Shield Scotland — official sources only):
• Police recorded 3,008 crimes in this ward in 2024–25 (301 more than 2023–24). Source: Police Scotland multi-member ward figures — management information, not official statistics.
• Children in low income: 12.3% — 371 children · before housing costs · FYE 2025. Source: DWP CiLIF.
• 15.9% of people here live in Scotland’s most deprived fifth of areas. Source: SIMD 2020v2, rolled from data zones to this ward.
• In the 2022 local election, Scottish National Party led on first preferences (32.6% of first preferences).
• Community assets held for this ward: 44 (4 schools · 5 GP · 6 pharmacy).

What I am asking:
1. Inspect this exact place
2. Repair it or say in writing why it will not be repaired, and by when
3. A written reply within 14 days

These counts describe the ward. They do not say who committed a crime or who is to blame. I am not asking you to treat residents as offenders.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Street or area in this ward]
[Date]

Open blank email

Paste into WriteToThem — we do not hold personal inboxes.

Path from idea to done

Seven fixed phases — skip only when the guide says so

Name the fault in one line
One place, one fault type.
~5 min
Check FixMyStreet
Search same pin; update open reports instead of duplicating.
~10 minFixMyStreet
Decide channel
Default FixMyStreet; use council form if required.
~5 min

Funding (if needed)

No-money first · local · national

No-money path

Street reporting is free. Grants are not the path for a single fault.

Local routes

City of Edinburgh — Community Grants Fund
small
Official council funding hub. Programmes open and close — check the live page for eligibility and deadlines.
Official page
Foundation Scotland — funds near you
small
Many local and thematic funds are searchable by postcode or council area. Check live eligibility and deadlines.
Official page
National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland)
larger
Scotland programmes from micro to larger community grants. Always use the current official programme list.
Official page
Council in-kind support
micro
Bags and collection for clean-ups, room hire, inspections, or land permission. Often more useful than a small grant. Ask the service team in writing.
Search your council website — check the live page
Community council grants / endorsement
micro
Some community councils hold small pots or can endorse applications. Find yours on this ward’s Your representatives page and ask at a public meeting.
Search your council website — check the live page

National routes (Scotland)

Amounts and deadlines change. Always use the official page. We never invent figures.

Downloads

Pre-filled with Leith and Edinburgh where useful

Full guide (idea → done)
00-street-problem-guide.txt
Evidence checklist
01-street-problem-evidence-checklist.txt
Street problem log
02-street-problem-log.txt

Official links

Deeper information

FixMyStreet

If you’re stuck · common mistakes

Stuck paths

Closed as fixed but still broken: new photo on same ref.
No reference: try council site or phone and log the call.
Same spot returns: use fly-tip guide and pattern log.

Common mistakes

Vague whole-street reports.
Photos of people.
Duplicate spam reports.
Abusive language.

All actions Your representatives