CHARGING for the use of Tranent’s public toilets could help deter vandals from targeting the facilities, a ward councillor has said.

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies suggested charging for the use of the facilities to deter vandals at a meeting of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council (TECC) earlier this month.

The men’s public toilets, on Winton Place, were closed last week after being vandalised and suffering fire damage – the latest in a string of similar incidents.

At the time, Mike Falconer, TECC chair, told the Courier that the town was “going to end up losing the toilets”.

The facilities were previously vandalised in April and November last year.

East Lothian Council confirmed last November that continued incidents of vandalism might result in “further consideration” of the facilities’ opening hours.

Ms Menzies suggested that charging could help.

She said: “I know I may get blowback from this, and the last thing I want is to see people being charged to use the toilet.

“It should be free.

“But something has to be done.

“CCTV isn’t really an option because it is too expensive and, statistically, it shows that it doesn’t work as a deterrent.

“We don’t want to see people charged to use the toilet, but if it is between charging to use them or losing them, I know what I’d prefer.”

Mr Falconer said: “Tranent cannot afford to lose the toilets. We will discuss this further at our next meeting.”