Highland Council is to survey arrangements for the storage and disposal of commercial waste in Inverness city centre.
Complaints have been made previously by members of the public and city centre councillors about the number of bins on the streets, many of which are stored on pavements.
Environmental health inspectors will carry out the survey with businesses throughout this month and next.
Gregor MacCormick, Highland Council’s environmental health officer, said: “The numbers and position of bins have expanded in recent years partly due recycling requirements. Commercial waste is disposed of by private operators as well as the local authority. The problems caused by waste permanently stored on our streets cuts across all service providers – as waste can attract vermin, causes litter and obstruction issues for people with mobility difficulties.”
Mike Smith, Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid) manager, said: “Inverness Bid supports this survey which is to establish a base level of information on arrangements for business waste. We look forward to then reviewing the results with the Highland Council to work to develop a strategy to improve the situation.
“I am sure everybody recognises that improving the appearance of our streets will benefit all who use them but the solutions proposed must work for all the city centre stakeholders”
Councillor Donnie Kerr, Inverness Central, who has been campaigning for a solution to the problem for several years, said: “It is long overdue. It is something I have been pushing for years. I am dismayed it has taken this long.
“I am glad to see it is moving forward and that now the slow-moving sloth that is Highland Council has finally got itself into gear. We need to keep the momentum rolling and deliver on this. It is an absolute disgrace that new cityscape scheme has been blighted by bins all over the place.”
In August, Mr Kerr launched a formal complaint with the authority over the lack of action to clear the rubbish bins.
Anyone who wishes to make a comment to Highland Council about the issue should e-mail EHOs.inverness@highland.gov.uk