Toilet damage in Ross-shire communities caused by 'mindless idiots' casts shadow over vital service on brink of visitor season
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THOUSANDS of pounds of damage caused to public toilets by "mindless idiots" is threatening a vital service on the brink of a visitor season many businesses are banking on for a pandemic bounce back.
The waste of taxpayers' money at a time cash-strapped Highland Council is struggling to provide basic services and the debilitating impact on community schemes run by volunteers this week prompted no-nonsense warnings.
Earlier this month, public toilets in Cromarty were hit by damage estimated at £20,000.
Others in Alness, Strathpeffer and Rosemarkie have also been vandalised in recent months.
And visitors to Muir of Ord's public toilets are this week greeted with the sign: "This building is closed due to vandalism."
Debbie Sutton, Highland Council’s amenity services manager said: “We ask people to be respectful of the public toilet facilities and report any concerns over misuse.
"Some facilities are locally-run by the community so the vandals are simply damaging the efforts of their own families, friends, and neighbours.
“Graffiti and fire raising while not only criminal is a total waste of taxpayers’ money and diverts resources from council works and services. It’s vital that our public toilets are safeguarded and no more are lost before the 2022 tourism season begins.
“We urge anyone with information on vandalism in their local public toilets to contact Police on 101 or to phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor and former Highland Council budget leader Alister Mackinnon, who is standing down at this year's election, said: "It is extremely disappointing that mindless idiots damaged the toilets and put them out of action.
"The Muir of Ord facilities are not long back open after being closed for months due to vandalism. I'm urging anyone who has information about who was responsible for this latest damage to get in touch with the police.There are CCTV cameras near the toilets so hopefully the police might be able to get some evidence from them.
"It is so sad when this happens and it may be that the council may have to consider closing the public toilets at night."
Cromarty and District Community Council took to social media last week to appeal for speedy help in getting their council run toilets back up and running before the visitor season.
The facility was vandalised earlier this year and repair work sub-contracted by Highland Council. There was then a delay in getting suitable replacement equipment.
But not long after the problem was highlighted by the this paper workers were this week on site effecting the repairs.
Damage estimated at £20,000 was caused to the facilities in Allan Square.
Highland Council has 74 toilets and 45 comfort schemes in the region.
Its visitor management plan for 2022 includes £190,000 spend on public toilets – which are not a statutory requirement of local authorities.
However the council came under fire when it closed a number of them and introduced charging for others amid budget cuts in 2018.
The local authority states: "We aim to have the Highland Council public toilets opened 24/7, however in some cases we may need to change the hours or close a toilet temporarily due to operational issues and vandalism."
Fed-up members of the public have shared their feelings on social media. One posted: "Someone must have seen or heard something.
"Get them fined and made an example off. Happening too often this kind of stuff."
Your view? Email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
