Throughout the pandemic, the beach and prom have been a place of respite and relaxation during some of our toughest times but with travel restricted and many on furlough or out of school, the pressure on facilities has been tough.
Portobello and Craigmillar councillor Callum Laidlaw has long campaigned for more public toilets across the city and has brought motions to Council to reopen in Pipe Lane facilities in 2020, reopen the Bath Street loos in 2021, extend their hours and have temporary toilets added this summer.
He has also worked closely with police and council officers to tackle anti-social behaviour on the beach and in local parks, with additional police patrols confirmed for busy weekends and a commitment to have officers based at the Portobello High Street station once Scotland enters Level 0.
Callum said “Porty is famously Edinburgh’s seaside, but often residents feel the downside to its popularity through unacceptable anti-social behaviour from broken bottles and noise to public consumption of illegal substances and urination in doorways and gardens.
“I know the police are stretched through underfunding, but I’m pleased to have commitments to step up patrols over what will likely be one of the busiest summers since the sixties. And they will be helped by securing the reopening of Bath Street toilets and extended hours there and at Pipe Lane.”