Bathrooms - Shetland Isles have toilet troubles

23/05/2008

A row has erupted on the Shetland Isles over the cost of a new toilet block, it has been reported.

Construction plans for the retro-styled toilet block in Lerwick began two years ago and have seen costs steadily increase, leading councillors to bicker over the project, according to the Shetland Times.

Spending significantly more than a penny, the development is now expected to cost at least £450,000 for five cubicles for women, three for men and six urinals.

The architect's fees for toilets alone came to £78,000, which councillor Allison Duncan slammed as a "godless rate", reports the newspaper.

However, councillor Allan Wishart, who sits on the committee which approved the costs, hit back: "The fact that it's a toilet doesn't mean that an architect wants to be paid less. It's not a bog-standard toilet."

The council hopes that the new toilet block will be finished in time for next year's tourism and boating season.

According to Visit Shetland, island capital Lerwick has a population of 7,500 and a swimming pool, theatre, art gallery and museum, with no mention of the costly toilets.