Scottish Borders Council reveals locations of 14 public toilets set to close permanently
They include facilities in tourist hotspots Eyemouth, Melrose and St Mary's Loch
Last updated 22nd Mar 2023
Fourteen public toilets across the Borders which closed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic will NOT reopen - if councillors approve a paper being presented to next week's meeting of Scottish Borders Council.
The local authority's proposing to sell or demolish them to help pay for the refurbishment of the 27 loos still in operation.
It reveals the cost of maintaining the conveniences, under the current model, is almost £400,000 pounds a year.
But the local authority says it's prepared to work with locals interested in providing community-led toilet facilities and comfort schemes.
The facilities that will permanently close and will be assessed for demolition, sale, lease or community asset transfer are: Burnmouth – Harbour; Eyemouth – Harbour; Jedburgh – Lothian Park; Kelso – Croft Park; Newtown St Boswells – Main Street; Galashiels – High Street Car Park; Galashiels – Bank Street Gardens; Melrose – Greenyards; Selkirk – Scott’s Place; Yarrow Valley – St Marys Loch; Hawick – Howegate; Hawick – Volunteer Park; Peebles – School Brae; and Peebles - Kingsmeadows.
Councillor John Greenwell, the council's Executive Member for Roads Development and Maintenance, said: “Public toilets are an invaluable asset for communities, providing many benefits to a wide range of people.
“As a council, we are committed to finding a sustainable solution for the long-term provision of public toilets which secures their future for many years to come and provides the public with a safe, clean and easily accessible service.
“These proposals will not only maintain this vital service but also allow us to significantly improve the 27 facilities we currently operate through investment and refurbishments."
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Within the plans is a commitment to operate one facility for each major existing settlement or location which can be supplemented by community-led facilities and local comfort schemes.
But, moving forward, the cleaning regime for all facilities will revert back to one clean per day, in line with pre-covid levels.
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Councillor Greenwell added: “There is also a renewed commitment from the Council to work cooperatively with local communities across the Borders to identify and progress community-led toilet facilities and comfort schemes.”
The 27 facilities that will remain open going forward are: Chirnside - Cross Hill, Cockburnspath - Main Street, Coldingham Sands, Coldstream - Court House Car Park, Duns – Brierybaulk, Eyemouth - Bantry Car Park, Greenlaw - The Square, St Abbs Harbour, Jedburgh - Tourist Information Centre, Kelso - Woodmarket/Horsemarket, Kelso – Shedden Park, St Boswells - Main Street, Morebattle Main Street, Yetholm - High Street, Earlston – Bus Station, Galashiels – Transport Interchange, Lauder – The Avenue, Melrose – Abbey Place, Selkirk - Market Place, Stow – Galashiels Road, Denholm – Dene Road, Hawick – Common Haugh, Newcastleton - Langholm Street, Broughton - King George VI Park, Innerleithen - Hall Street, Peebles – Eastagte Car Park, West Linton – Main Street.
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