It’s a desperate situation - get Ayr’s loos open

Jul 23 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

CLOSURE by neglect – by a council that can’t keep public loos open.

That’s the toilets in Ayr town centre, says campaigning Sarah Falconer.

And Sarah, 63, has speedily collected 3500 signatures in the Auld Toun.

Her petition calls for the re-opening of two public loos.

Sarah believes the Tam o’ Shanter loos, off High Street, and the Riverside loos, in River Street, should both re-open.

She said: “The only public loos in Ayr town centre are the disgusting ones in Arthur Street.

“We deserve better – clean toilets managed properly.

“Why is it other areas can do it, and we can’t?”

Sarah is disappointed that South Ayrshire Council has abdicated its responsibility for public loos.

She said: “If you fail to take responsibility, then others will take over.

“But we need to collectively stand up for what is right, and what is for the common good.”

Sarah add: “The council’s only policy for Ayr seems to be closure.

”But we all need to help them do better.”

Sarah admits she wouldn’t mind if a 20p charge was needed to keep public loos open and decent.

She said: “That seems to work elsewhere, where there are spotlessly clean loos, with flowers.”

John Scott MSP is backing Sarah’s call for increased provision of public toilets in Ayr town centre.

He said: “Since the series of public toilet closures several years ago there has been a lack of such amenities in the town centre, with the Arthur Street toilet being the only one remaining within the main shopping area.”

“Clearly the council continues to face very difficult financial circumstances and I don’t underestimate the problems that this is posing them as a result.

“But with ambitious plans for the regeneration of Ayr town centre being progressed, I would hope that consideration of the provision of more public toilets for the use of local shoppers and visitors to the town will be possible as part of that process.

“I will certainly do what I can to press that case with the council.”

Eric Monson is neighbourhood services manager for South Ayrshire Council.

But he says there are no plans either to re-open loos which have closed, or to introduce charges.

Mr Monson said: “We carried out a review of public conveniences in 2007, which highlighted the poor condition of many of these facilities and the significant investment required to bring them up to an acceptable standard.

“A decision was taken when setting our budget for 2008/09 to close some of these facilities and to invest in the remaining facilities to ensure that these were brought up to modern standards and made fit for purpose.”

The council also operates a ‘comfort scheme’ with an annual payment to businesses prepared to allow public use of their toilets.

But no business in Ayr has so far signed up for the scheme. Participating businesses are: the Boar’s Head, Hotel, Colmonell; the Harbour Bar, Girvan; and the Tower Hotel, Troon.

Community groups in Straiton and Kirkmichael, who took over loos closed down by the council, also benefit from the scheme.