Scottish Conservative politicians have thanked the public for their support for the Save Our Loos campaign.
So far, around 380 residents have signed the petition launched by Conservatives in Perth and Kinross to try to persuade Perth and Kinross Council to think again on their plan to close the attended toilets in Marshall Place, Perth, James Square, Crieff, Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie and in Auchterarder.
Perth and Kinross Council intend closing the facilities at the end of March in order to make savings of £85,000. They stressed that they would only retain public toilets with the highest footfall – namely Pitlochry and Dunkeld.
The Council has said that there are ‘currently’ no proposed changes to the unattended toilets and automatic public toilets in Perth and Kinross.
Scottish Conservatives in Perth and Kinross launched their Save Our Loos petition back in November and it has seen 380 people sign it. The petition was handed into Perth and Kinross Council earlier this week.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said: “We must thank the public who have given their support to our petition to Save Our Loos. I am sure, like us, many residents will be bitterly disappointed with the announcement by the SNP-run Perth and Kinross Council that they intend to close these four attended toilets in the region. It is a very backward-looking decision which will hit these communities in question.
“However, we should not be surprised at this move by a Council in chaos. The local authority is also set to close the Dewars Centre, Perth Leisure Pool and the Bell’s Sports Centre, along with closing some libraries. We hope the Council will rethink this shocking move to close the attended toilets.”
And Councillor Shiers, who represents the Blairgowrie and the Glens ward, added: “I would like to thank the residents and businesses who have taken the time to contact me regarding the public toilets in Blairgowrie. I very much hope there will be a change of heart from the SNP Administration on Perth and Kinross Council.
“I hope they will appreciate how concerned many people are, and what a poor message this sends to a town that has aspirations to grow our tourism offer and encourage more people to visit the fabulous independent shops we have in Blairgowrie.”
She continued: “I fully appreciate that under the current operating model these facilities do cost for each person who visits. That is why we proposed a review of the operating model to potentially unattended and with that there would need to be investment but then savings.
“I am also working with the community on a ‘Plan B’ model, where they are taken into community ownership. I do firmly believe that these public facilities ought to be operated by the local authority and this remains my opinion.”
Councillor Bob Brawn, who also represents the Blairgowrie and the Glens ward, commented: “Since the closure of the public toilets on 31st March was announced, there has been widespread anger at this decision by the current SNP Administration at Perth and Kinross Council. So much so that some 360 people have signed a petition calling for this decision to be reversed.
“Blairgowrie is the largest town in Perth and Kinross and for it not to have any public toilets is appalling. While usage is not high, particularly away from the summer months, these facilities should not be judged on statistics or as a business. They are a service to locals and visitors alike and the loss of such facilities may well have a knock-on effect for tourism.
“Will coaches stop in Blairgowrie if there are no toilets for their passengers to use? What effect will that have on summer business for local shops?”
And Liz Smith MSP said: “Closing public toilets is a deeply retrograde step. At a time when it is difficult enough to get visitors into our town centres, this move will just make matters worse. The businesses to whom I have spoken to are very much against this move, and I am already receiving complaints from members of the public – most especially in Crieff – who fought so hard 15 years ago, to get their facilities re-opened.”
