PEOPLE will no longer be able to use the public toilets in South Ayrshire if the new budget proposals go ahead.

This comes just one month after the public conveniences on Links Road in Prestwick were closed for a three-week £20,000 refurbishment.

The move saw a complete refresh of the paintwork, a review of all fittings, installation of a coin operated paddle gate to the main lobby and a coin box fitted to the disabled WC at the side of the block.

No firm decisions have been made on the future of the toilets yet. 

However, if the current budget proposals get the green light the toilet closures would come into effect by 2019/20 and would save South Ayrshire Council a total of £208,335.

Chief Executive Eileen Howat said: “I would stress that these are proposals – no decisions have been taken as yet and councillors will consider a number of factors before making any determination, including the feedback from the public consultation on the budget that will take place in the New Year.”

Cllr Martin Dowey, leader of South Ayrshire Conservatives, commented: “With regards the toilets, we do not and would not support the closure of any of the public toilets.

“I find the scale and scope of these proposed cuts to be both devastating to our communities,staff and more importantly totally unnecessary.

“My conservative group have been working hard on an alternative budget. 

“Yes hard decisions would need to be made under a conservative budget, but we would not be cutting front line services and I find the scale of cuts eye watering.

“We will not be associated with these proposals. 

“This is an Administration in crisis and out of their depth and this totally contradicts their manifesto commitments. 

“The SNP seem to have forgotten our council motto, Ne re forget the people, well they have.”

Speaking on behalf of Troon Community Council, Vice Chairman Douglas Graham, explained that they will be fighting to keep the public toilets open in Troon.

He said: “We can’t afford to lose the public toilets in Troon - we have already lost three or four so we have only got two left.

“If they close, where are people going to relieve themselves? Are they going to open to Town Hall for people to use?

“We have one public toilet on the shore and one on Church Street - if a tourist or a day visitor comes to the town they always ask where the toilets are.

“There is absolutely no way they can take them away - as a community council, we will be fighting to keep them open.”

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