Angus Council is planning to make “urgent” steps to address a public toilet in Brechin which has been targeted by vandals.
City of Brechin & District Community Council has raised concerns about the condition of the facilities in Southesk Street, particularly as the town’s public toilets in Dall’s Lane were permanently closed last week.
Angus Council has expressed their frustration at the vandalism at the toilet, which has been covered with writing on the walls and has had a toilet seat removed.
Community council’s treasurer Jill Scott said: “It is disgusting that the public will be directed to use these toilets, which have flaking paint, graffiti, dirty floors and no toilet seats.
“I met with council staff on June 7 and at that time I highlighted the poor state of these toilets and that I hoped that they would be repaired with the closure of Dall’s Lane.
“I had not been in the Dall’s Lane toilets but I am informed that they are in a better state of repair than Southesk Street.
“With Harley Davidson in the City festival at the weekend bringing lots of visitors to the town, I am left wondering what kind of impression they will leave Brechin with.
“Certainly not a good one if they attempt to use these toilets.”
Councillors approved the closure of five public toilets at a meeting in April – The Den in Kirriemuir, Norries Road in Westhaven, Arbroath Road in Forfar and Tay Street in Monifieth, as well as Dall’s Lane.
The councillors also decided to make the superloos in Reform Street in Kirriemuir and Church Street in Brechin unattended facilities when it was revealed that the cost of each person using these toilets was more than £4 a visit.
Jill added: “We are constantly told about budget cuts however toilets are a basic human need and I would expect these toilets to be kept to an acceptable standard.
“This leaves me with little faith that the Church Street toilets will be kept to the same high standard of cleanliness once the staff are removed, not to mention the cost of repairs once these toilets are vandalised.”
Angus Council asked people to call their ACCESSline on 03452 777 778 with any issues relating to vandalism. Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact police on 101.
A council spokesperson said: “This mindless vandalism is frustrating for the community as well as the council.
“In addition to the inconvenience to members of the public who need to use the facility, vandalism is costing the council needless time and money to put right.
“When we have increasingly limited budgets, it is an expense that the public purse could have done without.
“The facilities are cleaned and inspected regularly and we will be taking urgent steps to remove the graffiti, clean the facilities and make repairs.”
