New plan addresses toilet shortages, potentially opening Edinburgh Leisure and EICC facilities to the public.
Councillor Dan Heap proposed this toilet access change. He wants Edinburgh Leisure and council sites to open facilities. Heap represents the Sighthill/Gorgie area. He mentioned the lack of local public toilets.
Gorgie lacks any public toilets, he said. People must travel to Saughton Park or Princes Street. Gorgie Farm and an Edinburgh Leisure pool exist locally; however, current rules prevent public toilet use there as you must be a member.
Heap seeks default access to public toilets in council buildings. Libraries already offer open public toilets. Other council properties usually restrict them. The council recognizes a shortage of public toilets.
Portobello recently struggled with the toilet issue. Councillors declined funding for summer toilets. Locals protested the toilet scarcity.
Businesses face drunk people relieving themselves publicly. Only two public toilet sets exist near Portobello beach: one is on Pipe Lane, and the other, a quarter mile away, is on Bath Street. An online map could better advertise public toilets.
Currently, the council lists public toilets and hours. It also maps Changing Places toilets. Schools, for safety, would keep toilets private. The Policy Committee will review the motion March 11.