Householders and businesses responsible for a waste “blight” in the centre of St Andrews are being targeted in the run-up to the Open Championship.
Recent months have seen problems with some commercial waste bins overflowing, refuse sacks ripped open by gulls, and food waste strewn over pavements and roads.
Now enforcement officers and community wardens are being deployed in the town centre, with their shifts starting at 5.30am.
Discussions are also taking place with more than 60 businesses on managing waste and there has been a letter-drop to every town centre retailer.
During the week of the Open, there will be increased waste collections and additional street cleansing.
St Andrews Labour councillor Brian Thomson welcomed the efforts but is looking for a long-term solution.
He said: “It’s not something that either locals or tourists should have to put up with.
“Whilst it is not the council’s fault that a minority of residents and businesses are not managing their waste properly and the council’s cleansing staff have been doing an excellent job in clearing up the resultant mess it’s clear that enforcement or other measures are required to change habits.
“After raising the matter with the council’s executive spokesperson for environment and transportation, Councillor Pat Callaghan, I am pleased that a series of pilot measures have been implemented in the run-up to the Open.
“Whilst it is important that the town is presented in the best possible light for the Open, a long-term solution is also required, and I was pleased that Councillor Callaghan accepted my request to attend a meeting last week with my fellow St Andrews councillors, and the council officers with responsibility for waste collection and enforcement.
“The result of the meeting is that officers are going to identify hotspots within the town centre where waste is a problem, possible measures to tackle the problem, and the cost of implementing the respective measures.
“It is hoped that a report will be available for the St Andrews councillors to consider in September.
“It may be that different solutions will be appropriate for different parts.”