Patrons caught short in the Borders’s area could soon have to cough up more in order to use the available public toilets, as proposals are to be considered to introduce a charge for using the 40 council-run public conveniences across the Borders, four of them in Hawick.
Should the members of Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee approve the plan, it is estimated that the initiative could add in the region of £311,000 a year to the council’s coffers, with 24,848 visits being paid to the existing facilities every week.
The move would also bring the cash-strapped council’s policy in line with those of the majority of local authorities across the country.
As well as the four public toilets in Hawick – at the Common Haugh car park, Howegate, Volunteer Park and Wilton Lodge Park – the move affects the conveniences in Dean Road, Denholm and Langholm Street at Newcastleton.
Hawick and Hermitage councillor Ron Smith, the council’s executive member for planning and environment, said: “30p might not be the easiest amount to levy because of the number of coins required, but the principle of charging is acceptable to me.
“It tends to lead to cleaner, better-kept toilets, and expectations are rising in this regard because of the example set elsewhere.”
Charging a fee for access is the most sensible solution when it comes to public toilets’ funding, and this is exactly where Toilet Turnstiles could really put its experience to good work.
Our toilet turnstiles are built from graded stainless steel, for easier cleaning and maintenance, and also come equipped with lockable lids to prevent unwanted access. Furthermore, the separate coin box offers very versatile mounting options, as it can be installed either in front of the turnstile, at the side or alternatively, on the wall, with the cash box at the rear.
The turnstile’s coin mechanism can be programmed for virtually any combination of coins with a secure cash box to hold them, while the additional counters for the number of entries made will enable a thorough level of control over the system’s operation.
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