Human waste being left in Moray car park
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Complaints have been made that human waste has been left at a parking area on the Speyside Way in Craigellachie.
Moray Council closed the toilets at Fiddich Park several years ago, and while there were portable ones installed for around six months in 2021 none are in place at the moment.
The area is used by water sports enthusiasts enjoying the River Spey as well as walkers and cyclists.
Moray councillor Derek Ross (Speyside/Glenlivet, Independent) has been calling for toilets to be re-instated in the area since the block was closed five years ago.
The ward's newly elected councillors Juli Harris (SNP) and David Gordon (Conservative) are also backing the push to get facilities back in that area.
There are plans to repair the car park, and a facility for disposing campervan waste is in place.
However efforts to get the council to change its position on its one toilet per community policy have been unsuccessful.
The public convenience on Victoria Street in Craigellachie means the local authority is not prepared to fund another half-a-mile away at Fiddich Park.
Cllr Ross has been receiving complaints over the summer.
He said: "Fiddich Park would be considered a hub on the Speyside Way. It's where people park their cars to go walking and canoeing.
"There’s not supposed to be any camping but that’s not being observed.
"Consequently there’s human waste being left.
"It’s ridiculous that in the 21st Century we don’t have toilet facilities for tourists that come to the area.
"It seems that people in Speyside Glenlivet are just forgotten about."
Cllr Harris is also the local authority's equalities champion.
She said: "This is one of the areas that can be used by disabled people because it’s quite flat.
"It’s a showcase area for Speyside and should be treated as such.
"We need to look at the possibility of a solution for the local community."
Cllr Gordon is asking users of that section of the Speyside Way to get in touch.
He said: "I have asked to see the equalities impact assessment that was produced before the closure of the old toilet block.
"If the current policy cannot be changed in the short term I suggest there may be other solutions.
"I'd encourage any interested parties to contact the council.
"I'd also like to hear opinions from visitors and from regular users of the car park and that section of the Speyside Way."
