A Largs councillor has spoken of his delight after making sure the public toilets in the town's seafront will be open for the highly anticipated Viking Festival.
The news is a boost for the festival which is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to Largs between September 2 and 10 - as there were fears expressed that the local loos might not be open in time.
There have been delays to the controversial £300,000 public convenience improvements - with concerns aired by North Coast Cllr Ian Murdoch earlier this week as to whether the works would be completed in time for the festival taking place, and whether the accompanying compound area and skip at the site would be removed.
The compound area is taking up car parking spaces, ordinarily used by the Viking Fair which takes over the car park, during the festival time. The fair runs independently of the festival at the same time.
There are also unsightly skips within the compound area.
It has now been confirmed that the compound site will also be removed throughout the duration of the Viking Festival, after Independent Councillor Murdoch had written to NAC chiefs earlier this week. The skips will also be taken away temporarily.
Ian said: "The gents' toilets works are getting an inspection this week but the roofwork has all been completed.
"The remaining ladies' toilets and disabled toilets works still need to be done.
"Work will be paused temporarily on the completion of the men's block throughout the Viking Festival, and all the toilets will be re-opened throughout the duration of the festival. The site compound, skip and accompanying materials will also be removed for the duration of the event.
"It will also be reinstated after the end of the festival and the contractor will be reinstated, and works on the ladies and disabled toilets will be resumed."
Ian has further requested that the resumption is held off until after the September Weekend which takes place later in the month in Millport, as it also attracts a big boost in visitors who will want to use the seafront car park facility. The Millport festival weekend is on September 23.
He said: "It is nearing the end of the summer which has already been disrupted enough, so the sensible option is to extend the pause of the works so we have full use of the car park and it can also bring in some much needed revenue once the Viking Fair goes.
"It is a good result that the public toilets will be open for Viking Festival time."
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The refurbishment project at the promenade toilets has been impacted by material deliveries and sub-contractor availability. However, the works remain ongoing.
“The delay has meant some additional planning is required in relation to the site compound and Viking festival. This planning is also ongoing."
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