Could Milngavie lose West Highland Way walk-start status?
FEARS have been voiced that Milngavie could lose its status as being home to the official start of the West Highland Way if the public toilets in the town are closed.
That's the view of former Provost Pat Steel who has worked with the community council and traders to raise a petition of objection to the closure decision amid concerns it could also threaten the vibrancy of the town.
In a swathe of service cuts to help East Dunbartonshire Council balance its books, several toilets in the district were targeted for closure when the budget was set in February — including those at Mugdock Road and at Bearsden Cross.
However, campaigners say because Milngavie is home to the West Highland Way it is essential that the town retains its facilities for walkers.
More than 4,000 people have now signed the petition with notable signatories including Ali McCoist and acting Labour leader Harriet Harman as well as MP Jo swinson, MSP Des McNulty and local councillors and is to be presented to the council next Tuesday.
Ahead of that handover Pat Steel told the Herald: "I recall when I was a councillor that there was debate whether it could be contested that Milngavie was the start of the West Highland Way and believe that if the town is without toilet facilities for the thousands of Way walkers, that this could lose the town the start of the Way status."
Milngavie Community Council members also fear for the negative impact the toilet closure would have on the town centre and registered their concerns in a letter to East Dunbartonshire Council.
In a disappointing reply the director of development questioned why Milngavie should be different from other towns across the district which do not have toilets.
Further, he said: "I would query whether the lack of public toilets at this specific location will significantly impact on the ramblers groups and it may present opportunities for traders to offer services which may attract additional custom."
However, the only businesses with toilets that would be suitable are cafes or restaurants which the owners have to service and they do not want them turned into public conveniences — with some even now displaying notices that their facilities are for patrons only.
Traders Association spokesman Ian Lavrie said: "It's an utterly ridiculous notion that businesses should provide public toilet facilities and I believe if that was started businesses would lose custom rather than gain it by the practise.
"The closure suggestion is blow given that traders have been working hard to get Milngavie a higher profile on the tourist map — it's a crazy idea."
Ironically — and in the converse of the age old adage — as one door is opening in Milngavie another one is closing.
Alongside the decision to close the toilets, the council unveiled a tourist information office in the precinct and is leasing the premises to a travel company on the proviso that 25 per cent of shop will provide tourist information.
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Weather for Milngavie
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 1 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: East
