Calls have been made for Fife Council to spend a penny and improve St Andrews’ terrible toilets.
Local councillor Brian Thomson said plans to rejuvenate the town’s lacklustre lavs should at least be drawn up to determine whether such a project could be undertaken.
Last week The Courier highlighted concerns over the condition of public conveniences in the town, with local MP Stephen Gethins stating revolting restrooms could deter tourists.
As the summer season winds down, Mr Thomson has called for a strategy to be developed that could see greater investment made in the town’s facilities.
Following a recent discussion with council department heads, he said: “The meeting highlighted how little budget is available for improvements – around £50,000 per annum across for the whole of Fife – and ongoing maintenance.
“It’s clear that the toilets in St Andrews require to be fully refurbished. However, from personal experience, that would likely be a six-figure sum for each one.
“Furthermore, having an attendant is the best way to try and ensure that toilets are kept in a clean condition and not vandalised, and the significant annual cost of that also has to be factored in.
“Going forward from the meeting, further discussions will be needed with senior colleagues, but I’m looking for a report to be prepared setting out indicative costs for the refurbishments, along with the cost of proper maintenance.
“If costs can be established, a decision could then be taken.
“However, unless external funding can be sourced and a different management model identified, for example community ownership, proceeding with improvements and enhanced maintenance would mean that other council services would need to be cut.”
Fife Council operates six toilets blocks within St Andrews, almost 20% of the local authority’s inventory of public toilets.
Angus Thomson, senior manager for the council’s facilities management service, said the busiest toilets were cleaned most frequently, adding: “Fife Council works hard to keep public conveniences open and in good order for the use of residents and visitors.
“We continue to look at improvements to our cleaning regime and rely on the public using the facilities responsibly.
“There are 30 public toilets in Fife that the council maintains.
“The majority of these are cleaned twice a day, with 12 of these being cleaned once a day.”
