ALFRESCO TOILETS: You report that a local resident is understandably concerned to see from her window people urinating in the Prince Consort Gardens following the closure of the Birnbeck Road public conveniences. The decision to close these and other toi

ALFRESCO TOILETS: You report that a local resident is understandably concerned to see from her window people urinating in the Prince Consort Gardens following the closure of the Birnbeck Road public conveniences.

The decision to close these and other toilets in Weston was taken by North Somerset Council executive member for the environment, Carl Francis-Pester.

And where does Councillor Francis-Pester live? In Easton-in-Gordano.

Why should local businesses, such as The Cove Caf�, be expected to make their facilities available to anyone other than their own customers? And why should visitors to Weston have to make anything up to a 15 minute walk to toilets near the town centre that have survived the cuts? Small children and elderly people cannot always anticipate the need for a toilet. Isn't this misguided policy likely to deter visitors from returning to Weston?

The situation at the Royal Sands end of the seafront is equally dire. The beach toilets have been closed for a considerable time and no-one expects that they will ever open again. In the meanwhile, the sand dunes are becoming increasingly disgusting as they double up as open air toilets. Weston was far better served with the appropriate facilities 50 years ago. So much for progress?

One solution would be to let Weston Town Council assume control of the public toilets. However, North Somerset Council would also have to transfer some income generating facilies at the same time so that an additional burden doesn't fall on Weston's ratepayers. The Grove Park car park would be a good starting point.

JOHN LEY-MORGAN

Independent Councillor, Weston Town Council

Elmsleigh Road