New public bathrooms will be safer, easier to clean and better protected from vandals, the Corporation of Hamilton said yesterday.

Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, said: “Something which makes this design unique is the fact that we have done away with communal bathroom space.

“The public will access individual private bathrooms with their own sinks and hand dryers.”

Mr Gosling was speaking as he unveiled the eight individual toilets on Victoria Street near the bus terminal.

The old-style public toilets were closed last March for renovations.

The work was carried out by Gorham’s Management Design.

Mr Gosling said the stainless steel fitted bathrooms would be a blueprint for other public restrooms around the city.

He added: “We have not gone into details in terms of location, but the bathrooms across from the Bermuda Industrial Union are in desperate need of renovation.

“We need to see if this concept of the single use bathroom is favourably met.”

Mr Gosling said he was “very disappointed” that one of the units had already been targeted for an attempted break-in.

He added: “Historically this has been a target for vandalism due to the fact they are in an area of high foot traffic.”

But he said security cameras outside the bathrooms will make it easier for City officials to track down people who try to damage the restrooms.