Call for action over the 'ludicrous' lack of public toilets in centre of Thurso
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ACTION is needed to deal with the "ludicrous" lack of public toilets in the centre of Thurso, according to a community councillor.
Iain Gregory called for a meeting involving the community council, Highland Council officials and councillors to come up with a plan to get the toilets at Riverside Road re-opened. They were closed by the local authority following a spate of vandalism. "We must act to sort this out. The level of public feeling on this issue is so strong," he said.
Mr Gregory also suggested asking Highland Council when the facilities will be re-open and what security measures would be put in place to try and avoid vandals striking again.
He pointed out that the toilets, which cost almost £200,000, were officially opened in September 2012 but were closed in November, 2021 and again in October last year due to what was described as "senseless vandalism."
"The position today is that this vital public facility remains closed and the centre of Thurso remains without access to these toilets, constructed at great expense just over a decade ago," said Mr Gregory who claimed the premises are needed even more now than in 2012 as a result of "the huge increase in tourism."
He praised Highland Council for its decision to replace the public toilets in Whitechapel Road in Wick but said the fate of the facility in Thurso "remains unclear."
Mr Gregory, a retired senior police officer, stated: "Vandalism to public lavatories is an ongoing problem across the Highlands and is not simply confined to Caithness. This criminal behaviour needs to be dealt with. We cannot allow the vast majority of decent citizens and our visitors to be deprived of this vital facility due to the actions of a tiny minority. If we do, then we have surrendered to criminals."
Colin Johnston agreed and said: "Something has got to be done about it."
Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, Matthew Reiss, said: "It is ludicrous that the town has no toilets except the ones at the harbour." However, he pointed out the local authority has no statutory obligation to provide public toilets. It has introduced Comfort Schemes where hotels and other businesses receive " a small amount of money" to let people use their toilet facilities.
"Are people comfortable going into a hotel to use their toilets," wondered James Campbell.
Mr Gregory said it may not be a statutory obligation but it is "a social one" although he acknowledged the local authority's difficult financial position.
Bert Macleod said the council can provide the toilets but are not responsible for manning them. The harbour toilets in Thurso are staffed by volunteers, it was stated.
Councillor Reiss claimed the council should be going to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and "make the case for cash" to help deal with such problems.
He said the vandalism is being carried by a small group of youths. "They are running us ragged but there is little that can be done as the deterrents have been diluted down. The police can arrest them time and time again and take them home but sometimes within 10 or 15 minutes they are back on the streets," he said.
Mr Johnston asked. "What are we getting for our Highland Council charges – bugger all as far as I can see."
The local authority has said it has no plans to re-open the Riverside Road toilets.
