PUBLIC loos that were last year saved from closure failed to make the grade on the first holiday weekend of the year. Teignmouth's Point toilets, taken over by the town council from Teignbridge Council at a rent of £1 per annum, had to be closed on Saturday during the bank holiday while workmen dealt with a blocked sewer. A crumbling system and misuse was to blame, town clerk Dave Tickell told Tuesday's Teignmouth TownCouncil finance and general purposes committee. The ladies loos were shut from noon because seats had come away with reams of paper stuffed down the bowls along with other items, including a pair of pants, he said. The loos were supposed to have been closed until Tuesday. They were accidentally opened again on Sunday but had not been cleaned, prompting a flood of complaints to councillors. Cllr David Cox said the toilets were saved by the town council for the use of all but it may have to consider only opening it up for user groups, including the Teign Fishermen and Watermen's Association, back beach users and the rowing club. 'It may only be for certain user groups if this council cannot bear the maintenance costs. There are loos nearby at the Beachcomber,' he said. Cllr Vince Fusco said he felt 'physically sick,' at the condition of the loos. 'They were in a disgusting state. We felt that we had to close them for a time to sort it out,' he said. Mr Tickell said the town council was not told of the need to repair the sewage system when it was taken over from Teignbridge Council, a fact disputed by Cllr Roy Phillips. But, said Mr Tickell, the work to renew the system would be done and the cost forwarded to Teignbridge Council under the transfer agreement. Teignbridge Council said last year it would close the toilets because it could not justify a £15,000 repair bill. Teignmouth town council took on the maintenance of the loos with other river groups.
