Click here to search commentonline

Public Toilets: Solution For Aberfeldy

The Penny HAS Dropped, it appears, as the automated public toilet facility scheduled for installation in Aberfeldy’s Victoria Park may now actually be sited in the triangle of grass and trees opposite the dental practice on Taybridge Terrace at the foot of Burnside.

This breakthrough development was reported by C’llr Ken Lyall in early February who told Comment: “I have held extensive talks with Environment Officers over the last year raising concerns about potential vandalism of the toilets if they were positioned in Victoria Park.
“This ‘new’ site I see as an excellent location, and one that will not encourage people to hang around it and maybe vandalise it.”

‘Great Result’
He continued: “The facility will have three toilets, one male, female and a fully compliant disabled one. It is intended to have stone cladding and a tiled roof. Located opposite the park, it will be used by park users yet is only two minutes walk from the Square.
The councillor added: “This will ensure a much better location and makes the toilet provision in the town really very good. I think that this is a great result for tourists and the people in Aberfeldy and makes up for the lack of a staffed facility.”

Community Council Reaction

At the meeting of Aberfeldy Community Council on 6 Frbruary, after some discussion, it was felt that the cost of this building could have been better spent upgrading the existing facilities at Burnside.  

Also it was felt, by the committee and the three members of the public present, that the facility being located outwith Victoria Park, meant that anyone wishing to use these facilities would have to leave the park and cross what can be a fairly busy and fast moving traffic roadway, particularly with respect to children crossing unsupervised.   The secretary was instructed to write to P&K and ascertain costings for this new facility, and make known the committee’s opinions on the matter.

Petition

The treasurer stated that the petition regarding the toilets was now closed and that 19 Community Councils had given their backing to Aberfeldy Community Council. Only one council was against.  

A meeting that was due to take place during February had been re-arranged for March, when the community council will take its case to P&K Council.   G Dunbar raised the matter of the toilets at Burnside being on the market for sale, not for use as toilets, and questioned why the community council had not been informed of this. The secretary was instructed to include this in his letter to the council.