Beaches at Burntisland and Kinghorn could lose prized awards if nearby toilets are closed, warn councillors.
Cash-strapped Fife Council is conducting a cost-cutting review of public conveniences and among those it is feared could close are the toilets at Burntisland Links, Kinghorn Harbour beach and Pettycur Bay.
Councillors Susan Leslie and George Kay said the review raised serious concerns for seaside facilities and warned axing public toilets would threaten the beaches’ award status.
Burntisland and Pettycur beaches have Blue Flags which is an internationally-recognised quality standard and all three have Seaside Awards. The criteria for both requires adequate toilet provision.
Mrs Leslie said: “There is the danger that the wrong toilets could be closed because we are not looking at all possible options.
“We will not be the only ones who will be opposed to the current proposals. Community councils, environmental groups and individuals will be completely opposed to these closures.”
Mr Kay said cost-cutting toilet closures were only supposed to be made where alternative facilities were available.
“There are no viable alternatives identified in the review of Burntisland and Kinghorn facilities,” he said. “We need to look at how to keep open the toilets that we really require in these communities particularly in holiday towns, which rely on visitors and have Blue Flag-status beaches.”
The head of transportation and environmental services, Dr Bob McLellan, said the council was engaging with all community councils following its Fife-wide review of public toilets conducted over the last six months. “This is aimed at providing Fife with fit-for-purpose, strategically-placed public convenience provision, as well as making efficiency savings,” he said.
Councillor Pat Callaghan, executive member for the services, said: “We will look at the potential economic impact of any changes and the levels and patterns of tourism and take the information we get from the communities on board to ensure any plans we make will be appropriate for the area. We are fully aware of the economic benefits tourism brings to Fife and these coastal communities in particular.
“We would not want to jeopardise that by making changes which could have a negative impact.”
It is likely the proposals will be considered by the area committees in June.