Spending a penny is to cost 10p
IT will soon cost 10p to spend a penny in Waveney, while some public toilets will be closed altogether. The council is embarking on a £200,000 refurbishment programme, but will charge for use of the newly decorated toilets.
IT will soon cost 10p to spend a penny in Waveney, while some public toilets will be closed altogether.
The council is embarking on a £200,000 refurbishment programme, but will charge for use of the newly decorated toilets. And there has been anger at plans to close toilets across the district.
Today Waveney councillors will discuss the plans to close three toilets in Lowestoft - Fen Park, Waterloo Road and the Victoria block at the seafront - as well as the Boulevard in Oulton Broad, Saxon Road in Pakefield and Kilcock Cliff in Southwold.
They are being told this is because of extensive vandalism, anti-social behaviour, poor equipment and lack of use. But the report also says that toilets earmarked for closure on Norwich Road in Halesworth have been “closed for some time” even though they are open.
Halesworth Town Council chairman Janet Wright said: “They are fine - clean, and always with hot water. I personally think they shouldn't be shut. They were closed last year due to damage but were reopened. I don't see why we should have to pay for a public facility. As far as I am aware these toilets are
not regularly vandalised.”
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Geraldine Bryant, of Southwold Town Council, said: “I think it would be disastrous to close the toilets at Kilcock Cliff. Children playing on the beach can safely get to them with no roads to cross. To get to the other toilets you have to cross a very busy area. I am not happy.
“We have to accept that you do have to pay for good facilities - that doesn't concern me. But what does concern me is the closure.”
Charges of 10p will be introduced at two toilets in Lowestoft, one in Halesworth Market Place, and one in each of Southwold, Corton and Bungay after they have been refurbished. A parent and toddler facility will be built at Baker's Score in Corton. Other toilets in the district will have to wait until next year and in some cases until after 2011.
A spokesman for Waveney District Council said: “This refurbishment will see the installation of vandal-resistant materials, upgraded washing facilities and finish and, once completed, an enhanced cleaning regime. Charging is essential to help maintain these high standards.”
