Complaints after toilet troubles

THE LACK of public toilets at one village is causing problems for residents, with several complaining about visitors resorting to relieving themselves in outdoor spots in lieu of the loos.

Colin Hill, chairman of Kewstoke Parish Council, said the council had received several complaints about toilets in Sand Point because visitors believe the disused building there is open, before realising it is not available and instead using back gardens and hedges nearby.

Mr Hill said: “We have had complaints from the general public. Obviously it is not something that we want to put up with.”

He called for the block to be knocked down in order to stop people from approaching the conveniences or trying to use them.

A spokesman for North Somerset Council said: “This block of toilets has been closed for some time due to vandalism. Asbestos has been removed by our contractors and the building is to be knocked down shortly.

“We did have a meeting with the National Trust about us closing this block. There is another toilet block within about half a mile at the bus terminus car park, which are open seven days a week, 8am-6pm.”

North Somerset Council revealed earlier this year that it may have to rethink how public toilets are run across the district in order to help find savings of £47million.

Kewstoke still has one set of public toilets left, at the bus terminus car park - which the authority is looking to offload.

Mr Hill added: “Fair dos to North Somerset, they never said they are going to close that toilet, but they are looking to parish councils to help with the costs or take it on.

“They cost about £6,500 to run at present. If we did take them on we would have to pass that on to residents on their precepts, and we don’t want to do that.”