Residents in Hillside Crescent at the eastern junction with London Road have appealed directly to black cabs, private hire cars, coaches and other commercial vehicles to stop laying up at all hours of the day and especially through the night.
Residents contacted the cab companies through the dedicated police Cab Inspector to remind them of their social and environmental responsibilities (these are often listed on the companies' own websites), and that designated laying-up areas for taxis and other commercial vehicles are available nearby.
But despite the combined efforts of locals (some of them elderly) together with City Council Parking, Community Safety and Environmental officials and the Police, a few residents claim this particular yellow-boxed junction, subject to CCTV surveillance, remains an unofficial taxi rank/commercial park.
It appears that a majority of responsible cab drivers have heeded locals' pleas, but Spurtle's sources claim the issue continues owing to their irresponsible colleagues.
Unfortunately, any such problems are made worse for some by the fact that listed buildings in the area have only single glazing, which is ineffective at keeping out noise.
One such disgruntled local, aged 80, has lived in the crescent for 45 years but is now considering a move away. He contacted the Spurtle on Friday, but wishes to remain anonymous for fear of being singled out by problem parkers: 'I hear them through the night, constantly disrupting my sleep as they stop and start their diesel engines or just sit idling.
'As the evening approaches I dread another bad night.
'Then when I look out my window at 7.30am, there they are, sometimes up to six black cabs in a row and it goes on like this all day long. It's especially cabs and private hire cars but also commercial vehicles and coaches as the day-into-night wears on.'
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Spurtle contacted City of Edinburgh Council for a response this morning. A spokeswoman insisted the situation had vastly improved since it came to light in April/May last year. Locals had even accompanied officials on night-time patrols. Most Hillside Crescent residents, she claimed, are now happy that the problem had been resolved and are not pressing for any particular further action.
'Following a number of complaints from residents in Hillside Crescent, the Council and the Police have worked closely to address this issue. Taxi companies have been very cooperative in speaking to their drivers and we continue to carry out regular patrols in the area. Where any vehicles are found to be parked with their engines idling, the appropriate enforcement action will be taken.'