A tourist can be anyone from Magdalene or Madrid. If they are spending leisure time in Portobello, toilet facilities are required at some point during their visit.
In Portobello we have three toilet blocks left out of the original provision of six. The three toilet blocks do not have attendants but are part of a scheme to be opened and cleaned by a mobile unit of cleaners.
However hard they try to keep the toilets clean they are in a disgraceful state again within 20 minutes of them leaving.
Mindless vandalism plays a big part of this.
I would like to see floor to ceiling turnstiles installed with a charge of 20p
introduced which I believe would stop much of the vandalism in the buildings.
This has been suggested before to the Council but was disregarded because they felt that the money boxes would be broken into.
I think that a few pounds out of the money box v's vandalised toilets and the ensuing repairs would soon strike a positive economic balance for the council.
It would also mean that toilet facilities would be open and not closed due to burst pipes, choked drains, broken windows, doors kicked off their hinges, etc.
I also think it would stop the gang hut syndrome which occurs when young girls and boys gather in the toilets to drink their latest alcopops and cider aquisitions.
On another note, Pipe Street toilets should be opened for Easter Weekend. It is too long to wait until the 1st May.
The provision of a shower facility on this site would be a great asset for those enjoying the beach.
Edinburgh does have a bad reputation for public toilet facilities.
Perhaps they should look at their neighbours in East Lothian, who are always winning awards for their toilet facilities and reintroduce attendants.
BillStatistics: Posted by Guest — 05 May 2003, 22:53
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