Roadside toilet access for travellers

Access to toilets, water and waste removal will be offered to gypsy/travellers at informal or roadside camps as part of a trial scheme by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).

The pilot aims to improve c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n local authorities and g ypsy/ traveller communities, with support to access temporar y land and facilities, as well as health and education services.

Initially being trialled by East Ayrshire, Moray and Perth & Kinross councils, the scheme w i l l a l s o d e ve l o p p r a c t i c a l assistance for local authorities to provide safe facilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Guidance published by the Scottish Government in June warned Covid-19 could spread quickly through camps, which can be crowded.

Cosla’s housing spokeswoman Elena Whitham said: “Our gypsy/traveller communities have a long and rich history of travelling within Scotland and are a valued part of our local places.”