Toilet closures investigated (From Oxford Mail)

Toilet closures investigated

6:30am Monday 8th December 2008

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There could be fewer places to spend a penny under a scheme to close some of Oxford’s 19 public toilets to save money.

Cash-strapped Oxford City Council has a report which highlights a saving of £50,000 a year for three years if it closed 11 suburban toilets.

Although councillors have now ruled out closures next year, in subsequent years any of the toilets could face the chop – including those in the city centre.

The council is also considering introducing charges at toilets and asking pubs and restaurants to open up their loos to the public.

Self-cleaning super loos, like ones found on the continent, could also be introduced.

But councillor John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner, greener city, said he was not happy with the state of most of the toilets and promised there would be an overall improvement whatever happened.

Users, however, have branded any closures as a backward step.

The details are contained within draft budget papers drawn up by senior council staff and members of the ruling Labour administration with the aim to save £3.6m over three years.

Residents in Headington said closure of public conveniences in Bury Knowle park would be “madness”.

Jackline Kemmett, 57, from Chestnut Avenue, who needs a mobility scooter and uses the public toilets almost every day, said: “We’d be upset and angry if we lost them.

“I’d be against having to pay for them as well.

“That’s what we pay our council tax for.

“Every so often the toilets are in a horrible state, but I don’t think charging people would make it that much better.”

Her husband Trevor, 61, added: “It would be madness to shut them. People don’t always want to ask to use a toilet in a restaurant.

“If I had to go against a tree I’d be breaking the law wouldn’t I?

“It would be a massive inconvenience for people.”

Khalid Mahmood, manager of the restaurant Bar Meze, in London Road, Headington, said: “It would be very bad if they closed.

“I already have too much pressure on me from the public asking to use our toilet.

“I wouldn’t allow the council to use my facilities as public toilets.

“I would lose business if I did that. A payment wouldn’t be worth it.”

In a report to councillors, Shaun Hatton, of the council’s city works department, warned hygiene in public spaces could be “compromised” by closures — increasing street cleaning costs.

Tony Joyce, chairman of Oxford Civic Society said: “It would be very disappointing if toilets were to close and I think it would be a retrograde step. It’s one of the things you expect the council to provide.

“Oxford’s toilets are not all very nice. If charging is the only way to adequately finance decent facilities I think that has to be accepted.”

Mr Tanner said no decision would be made until a review and a public consultation of toilet provision was done in January.

He said: “I’m not satisfied with the standard of most of the toilets in Oxford.

“The easiest option would just be closing the suburban toilets, but we’ve rejected that.

“It could make more sense to close toilets in the city centre where there are plenty, rather than close any suburban toilets which are very well used.”

“I can give you a cast iron guarantee there will not be any closures next year, but the year after anything could happen, including some closures.

“Whatever happens will be an improvement.”

He added: “Charging to spend a penny is certainly something we’re considering, but isn’t a straightforward option.

“If this means people are discouraged from using the toilet and urinate against a wall instead, we have not really gained anything.”

Liberal Democrat group opposition leader David Rundle said: “The provision of public toilets is a reflection of how civilised a city is. That means we would looking at investments, improvements and modernisation rather than cuts.”

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