By Liz Fowler

ANGUS COUNCIL is making no apology for levying a £10 charge to open up the toilets at Montrose beach to a group of primary children.

The youngsters from Southesk school enjoyed a summer outing to the water splash on the town’s beachfront this week. Although the weather was against them the children were beaming.

The only thing that did put a dampener on the occasion, according to some parents, was the demand from the council for £10 to open the toilets.

It has brought to a head a row rumbling in the town over the opening times of the toilets in the Traill beach pavilion, which has recently undergone an overhaul costing around £47,000.

Internally the toilets may be sparkling but visitors to the beach needing to spend a penny have been furious to discover they are only open in the afternoons.

They say it makes a mockery of the beach’s blue flag status.

For the second time in a row Montrose last month was awarded the accolade, an award recognised worldwide and made for top class facilities and high environmental standards.

Denying children free access has particularly irritated townspeople.

Southesk parent Mandy Watson has called on the council to cough up a refund.

She said, “These children all live in Montrose, and their parents pay council tax. It’s a disgrace the school was charged for this. Schools are hard pressed enough for funds as it is.”

However a council spokeswoman yesterday said the money was needed to help defray the costs of the extra staff needed to accommodate the children.

“The toilet facilities had to be opened up earlier than normal on Tuesday to accommodate the party of school children from Southesk Primary, so incurring additional staff costs.

“The standard group charge of £10 was levied to enable the party of school children to use the facilities during their day out, by prior agreement with the school.”

The toilets are only open to the public after 11am.

The council maintains the hours are dictated by level of use and points out the opening times are extended for summer.

The opening times are: April 9 to June 22 and August 27 to September 30, Monday to Friday—1-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 12-6pm; June 23 to August 26, Monday to Friday—11am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday—11am to 6pm.

The toilets are closed altogether over the winter.