THE public toilets at the Point car park, Teignmouth, could be saved from closure on April 1 if the town council can strike a deal to pay half the running costs, writes Tim Hall
At last week's meeting of Teignmouth Town Council Finance and General Purposes Committee – attended by many members of the public worried at the closure proposal – councillors voted to try to reach an agreement on cost sharing with the owner, Teignbridge Council.
Town council chairman Cllr Don Tracey said that it was a matter of 'urgent necessity'.
The move followed Teignbridge Council's Executive decision to implement a review group's controversial recommendations to close a number of loos throughout the district where no alternative funding arrangements had been made.
Town clerk David Tickell said that the town council had been provided with two different sets of figures for the running costs.
Ferry operator and RNLI representative James Trout said that he was unsure where Teignbridge got its usage figures from. 'An awful lot of people use the toilets, including ferrymen who drink loads of tea,' he said.
Christine Vince, on behalf of the Teign Fishermen's Association, said that the toilets were the first port of call after the car park. The area was regularly used by large numbers of rowers, fishermen, boat owners, Back Beach traders, walkers and ferry passengers.
She said that she would not object to charging if the money was used to improve the facilities.
'But if the closure goes ahead,' she said, 'we might as well hang up a sign at the entrance to Teignmouth saying "Visitors Not Welcome Here".'
Cllr Sylvia Russell said the Teignbridge figures needed to be challenged.
Cllr Vince Fusco said that the closure would save Teignbridge Council just over £8,000, while Cllr Roy Phillips said that the council would have to fight for this essential service.
'I can't understand the philosophy behind this,' said Cllr Fred Tooley. 'Nobody in this room wants these toilets closed.'