Rachael Hamilton MSP has welcomed the news from Scottish Borders Council,that public toilets at various locations across the region, are set to reopen.
The Borders MSP campaigned earlier in the year for public conveniences to be reopened following complaints from constituents, especially health workers and haulage drivers.
Mrs Hamilton wrote to the SNP Government asking that they change the protocols which would mean local councils could reopen toilets safely.
11 additional facilities will open in Earlston, St Boswells, Newtown St Boswells, Morebattle, Yetholm, Denholm, Chirnside, Greenlaw, Cockburnspath, Broughton and West Linton. Currently 16 facilities are open.
It is anticipated that all of the above facilities, with the exception of Yetholm & Morebattle which both require extensive repair work, will be open by the end of the first week of September.
It is then anticipated that the Yetholm and Morebattle facilities will reopen nearer the end of September once the necessary maintenance works are completed to bring the facilities up to the required safety standard for public use.
The current cleaning schedule of the 16 toilets presently open will reduce from three times daily cleans to twice a day, reflecting the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Rachael Hamilton said:
“I am delighted that after campaigning to reopen the public toilets across the Borders, that SBC have recognised this.
“Access to public conveniences is vital for everyone, but especially those living with health conditions or with a disability.
“Many social care workers and lorry drivers have written to me raising this issue, given the impact it was having on them carrying out their job.
“I recently held a surgery in Greenlaw, where many constituents came together to voice their concerns of the continued closure of the public toilets.
“This is a victory for common sense and many Borderers will be relieved to know that these facilities are finally open again”.