Angus councillors have voted to press on with plans to remove the last attendants from local Superloos.
But the authority’s former leader has warned he will not give them up without a fight.
It came after Arbroath councillor David Fairweather raised concerns the unmanned facilities could become drug and booze dens.
He tried to force a deferral of the plan to axe staff at Market Place in Arbroath, Forfar’s Buttermarket and Baltic Street in Montrose.
It failed after communities committee members voted 9-7 in favour of the cost-cutting move on Tuesday.
But the Independent signalled he will make a bid to force a rethink by taking the matter to the next full Angus Council meeting.
Declining numbers and rising costs
The facilities are the last remaining staffed public conveniences in the Angus.
But user numbers have been steadily falling.
And the 30p charge to spend a penny has not returned since the pandemic.
It is costing the authority between £1.70 and £2.40 per customer to run the loos.
Officials say they will stay open, but plan to remove the seven staff across the three sites.
Mr Fairweather said: “This causes me nothing but concern.
“Other toilet facilities (where staff were removed) were getting used for drug use, alcohol use and people stopped using them.
“I know every town has its own circumstances and its own problems, but these are three big towns.
“I’d be extremely concerned it’s something that’s going to happen at a town centre Superloo in Arbroath.
“I think there can still be a cost saving, but not to have these manned would be folly.”
He suggested reducing opening times but keeping staff at the three loos.
“All I’m asking is that the options are explored.”
One former staff member has already warned the loos will become a magnet for vandals.
Fellow Arbroath Independent Lois Speed said: “These proposals are out of step with the reality of how crucial safe, clean public toilets are.
“Older people and people with a disability often need a helping hand with regard to access, opening doors and things like that.
“It often goes such a long way in giving people the confidence to come out into our towns.”
Officers say they have experienced no issues at other locations where staff were taken away from public toilets.
SNP-led administration councillor Kenny Braes said: “There is a risk.
“But we have an £18 million deficit and we need to get cracking on with it.”
Conversation