Calls to help tourists spend a penny near the iconic Forth Bridge are to be considered.
Visitors caught short on the World Heritage Site’s northern shore currently have to cross their legs or rely on the generosity of hoteliers or other attractions.
The only public toilet in North Queensferry was removed by Fife Council a year ago amid budget cuts.
Councillors said the convenience was costing the local authority £10,000 a year to run.
Last month’s launch of a 10-year tourism strategy to boost visitor numbers to the Forth Bridge, the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing has prompted a plea for replacement facilities for the expected influx of tourists.
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the plan would give people a “world-class visitor experience”.
At a full meeting of Fife Council, opposition leader Dave Dempsey said: “Why has it proved impossible to date to identify funding to restore and operate a public toilet at the Forth Bridge, Fife’s only World Heritage Site, and what needs to be done to rectify this?”
The Conservative councillor added: “Can we find an answer so the public who need to go to the toilet, can?”
The council’s tourism convener, Labour councillor Altany Craik, said one of the main strands of the 10-year plan was to offer a warm welcome to all.
“This includes ensuring visitor facilities such as public toilets, digital visitor experience and to make sure they are available, particularly in North Queensferry,” he said.
“The North Queensferry automatic public convenience toilets made a loss of approximately £10,000 per annum in 2017/18. Elected members agreed to close this facility as part of budget savings.”
Mr Craik said council officers would continue to examine opportunities for new toilets but added: “Communities forming part of the wider Forth Bridges area are encouraged to welcome the opportunities arising from World Heritage tourism.
“Officers assessed that local attractions have toilet facilities which can be readily accessed, including hotels.
“However, officers will review the need for further facilities based on tourist demands.”
The Forth bridges are seen as key to luring more tourists to the Fife and the Lothians, where 4.9 million visitor stays are recorded per year.
Plans include a viewing platform at the south end of the road bridge, a welcome hub with exhibition space and a viewing platform on the Forth Bridge.
