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Toilet charging may increase 'public fouling risk' Councillors vote against shutting Devon public toilets
(about 11 hours later)
People may have to pay to use these toilets in Dawlish if Teignbridge District Council plans go ahead Toilets in Dawlish are among those saved from closure
Public toilets in seaside resorts and other towns and villages could be closed or have an admission fee added. Public toilets in Devon that had been recommended for closure will remain open following a council vote.
Teignbridge District Council says it wants to save about £250,000 a year by closing or charging at toilets in places like Dawlish, Shaldon and Teignmouth and in rural villages on Dartmoor. Teignbridge District Council was considering plans to close 13 public toilets in seaside resorts such as Dawlish and villages on Dartmoor to save £250,000 a year, but will now keep them open until April 2027, when a new unitary authority is expected to take over running of all services.
The council has given a rating to 20 public toilets with the lowest 13 to be closed or transferred to town and parish councils and the possibility of charging for entry for the seven highest rated. Councillors voted to try to transfer the running off public toilets to parish councils in the meantime.
A report setting out the plans to be debated by councillors on Tuesday acknowledges closures could lead to " an increased risk of fouling in public spaces". However, town and parish council representatives said this would either not be possible or mean large increases to their council tax bills.
Toilets on Barton Hill in Dawlish may have to close under Teignbridge District council plans
The council's report also said it recognised a potential "impact on tourism and businesses" and that "a reduction in public convenience provision could deter visitors".
Several petitions have been launched by campaigners who want to keep services open, gathering thousands of signatures between them.
The local authority said it was a "difficult" decision to "reduce any valued service" but the impact of closures or charging "must be balanced with the council's requirement to remain financially viable".
A decision on whether or not to go ahead with the plans is expected to be made by members at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
Petitions have been launched by campaigners who want to keep the blocks at those locations open.
Alan Connett, Lib Dem councillor for Exminster and Haldon at Devon County Council, set up a petition to save the public toilets in Starcross, which is in his ward.
He said the number of petitions launched showed how important the facilities were to many.
"They may not use them every day or indeed every week but they like to know they are there," Connett said.
"I hope Teignbridge think again and abandon this plan."
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