New public toilets in Edinburgh 'should be unisex' and may involve a charge

NEW public toilets in Edinburgh should be unisex and may have to carry a charge, according to report by officials.
Future toilets should be unisex, officials have recommendedFuture toilets should be unisex, officials have recommended
Future toilets should be unisex, officials have recommended

It says many of the existing loos are not fit for purpose and proposes a new assessment of where toilets are needed in the Capital.

The report comes as councillors consider whether to spend £140,000 to keep open the seven public loos currently operating through the Covid crisis.

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All public toilets in the city were originally closed when the coronavirus lockdown came into force in March, but seven were approved for reopening in July until the end of October - Pipe Lane in Portobello, the Meadows, Princes Street Gardens, Saughton Park, Bruntsfield Links, Hawes Pier and Cramond.

The report, to be considered by the council’s policy committee tomorrow, says safety measures put in place are “generally working well” and the toilets are “operating effectively”.

But it also notes that despite toilets being open “public urination” is still a problem in some places, in particular the Meadows, Bruntsfield Links, Portobello Beach and surrounding residential areas.

The council works with the police when such incident are reported.

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When particularly good weather has been forecast, the opening hours of the loos have been extended where possible. And notices have been put up to ensure the loos are visible.

The report says the cost of reopening the seven conveniences has been £107,653 for staffing, PPE and other materials.

And it recommends that, subject to a review of the footfall numbers, the current seven toilets remain open until the end of the financial year with the same safety measures in place, but it warns the £140,000 cost cannot be met from the existing budget.

The report also looks to the future. “As has previously been acknowledged, the age and design of the council’s public conveniences means many are no longer fit for purpose, nor actually in the best locations for residents and visitors. A strategic plan for the development and ongoing provision of public toilets is now required.”

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It proposes an assessment of where toilets should be located.

And it recommends new or refurbished facilities should be unisex or “gender neutral” to make them easier to clean and allow better physical distancing while maintaining privacy and dignity.

It continues: “Charging for the use of toilet facilities will need to be carefully considered.” It says such a move would reduce vandalism and misuse and cut running costs and it suggests contactless payment.

A council spokeswoman said: “As restrictions gradually eased over the summer, a lot of people were out enjoying our parks and beaches and making a welcome return to local high streets to visit shops and businesses. We reopened some of the city’s public toilets in response to this and to combat some anti-social behaviour we were seeing in certain areas, and we always said this would be on a temporary basis until October 30.

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“A review has now been undertaken of customer numbers and the costs involved in keeping facilities open safely for the remainder of the year, and this will be considered by elected members tomorrow.”

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