Something to go on as councils commit to public loos

Ten areas, including Newcastle, Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, and Wandsworth in south London now have no council-run toilets, the BBC reported.

There are currently 16 public toilets in Blackpool, and town hall chiefs hope to build another two on the Prom, near to Central Pier, and South Pier.

Deputy council leader Gillian Campbell said: “Like most public toilets there is a 20p charge which goes toward the initial cost of installing them and the on-going maintenance costs.

“There are no plans to reduce the number of public toilets in Blackpool but we do have proposals for two new blocks on the Promenade near to Central Pier and South Pier.”

In Fylde, there are 11 public toilets: four in St Annes, two in Ansdell, three in Lytham, one in Kirkham, and one in Freckleton. All but two – in Pleasant Street, Lytham, and Church Street, Kirkham, cost 20p to use.

The council said it is committed to keep the toilets open despite budgetary pressures, and will refurbish and reopen the closed toilets on the car park at North Prom, St Annes.

Work is expected to start in the next few weeks, and will take four to six weeks to complete, a spokesman said.

Maintained by Danfo, the block will feature two toilets, and a disabled unit with baby-changing unit.

Wyre Council charges 20p to use all of its 20 public toilets, including at Cleveleys Bus Station, the Teanlowe Shopping Centre in Poulton, and the Wyre Estuary Country Park Visitors’ Centre.

A spokeswoman told The Gazette: “We’ve invested around £1 million in public toilets over the last 10 years and have no plans to close any.”