Public Toilets in Portobello

[Bill]

Portobello is a tourist destination.

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.

Bill

[Guest]

[Susan]

Here's an e mail sent by Cllr. Lawrence Marshall today.

I know this closure is a problem to many and thought this information should be passed on to all.


Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 3:03 PM
Subject: Bath Street Public convenience

Dear All,
I know that the closure of the toilets at the top of Bath Street has caused a lot of inconvenience for folk. I hope that they can be re-opened as quickly as possible.

Lawrence


The public conveniences at Bath Street have been closed since 21 April for major refurbishment. There has been some delay in completion due to the non availability of certain fixings and door mechanisms. The contractor states that there is a possibility that they may re-open next week but a more realistic estimate would be two weeks time.

Moira Rankin
PA/Secretary to J M Drewry

[Gemini]

I believe that 'fixtures and fittings'/'door mechanism' are in abundance at the Scottish Parliament Building they may even throw in an £84.000 desk for the attendant to sit at and collect a penny or two, visitors to the Loos could also being doing with a couple area's for quiet contemplation!!

Or Mr. Drewry could pop down and install the stuff himself from the council's stores!

[Susan]

Hi,

It is a relieve to see the toilets at the top of Bath Street reopened this week after the "major refurbishment" was completed.

I looked with interest at the work which had been undertaken in the Gents.
There are new porcelain toilet pans which have the attached seat arrangement like the old school toilet which replace the stainless steel WC's.
The disabled toilet has the usual facilities with a new hot water provision - which is not working.
The urinals remain the same as before, battered and bruised, but functional.

There is no change in the overall decor.

I don't want to be negative but didn't the toilets need refurbishment because of vandalism? Stainless steel replaced by porcelain, what a delight for the mindless ones!

Just a thought but if it takes one plumber 30 minutes to replace one toilet pan surely that's three hours to change six? Why were the toilets closed for so long?

Bill