Glasgow Queen Street could be set to follow the lead of other large rail stations across the UK and remove charges for using public toilets.

Bosses at train operators ScotRail have responded to calls to make their services free at the point of use, following the decision by Network Rail to remove fees for toilet usage at stops such as Glasgow Central.

However, no commitment has been made by the company as to when this could be brought into place, with a spokesman citing potential concerns over safety.

He added: “We have plans to remove the charges at the stations where there remains one in place. Those are Glasgow Queen Street, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.

“There is no firm timescale for this, as full safety assessments need to be carried out to ensure appropriate access and minimise anti-social behaviour.”

Campaigners for better lavatory facilities have said that removal of these charges should be considered.

A spokesman for lobbying group, the British Toilet Association, said: “Toilets cost money to run and it is up to businesses whether to have costs.

“Toilets are about social inclusion, health, wellbeing, and equality, and they bring money into places.

“They can be a massive economic factor and ScotRail have to balance out whether they can balance out that loss of income.”

This feeling was echoed by members of the public, who said they were already paying ScotRail for use of trains, so toilets should come free.

Student Courtney Campbell, 19, said: “If it was free more would use them.

“If you’re paying to go on the train you should really be able to use the toilets for free, train prices are expensive anyway.”

Euan Rafferty, 33 added: “I don’t really see the reason to be charging for public toilets, a big company like that.”

However, other campaigners have suggested that money raised could be important to maintain a decent standard of facility.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Passengers dislike having to pay to use toilets at stations, particularly when they have forked out on an expensive train ticket.

“It is important that money raised is spent on maintaining and improving the toilet facilities.”