The company responsible for installing Teignmouth’s new public conveniences has been ‘fined’ for failing to deliver the project on time.

Public building specialists Healthmatic won £1.25 million contract to install five toilet blocks in Teignmouth on the understanding that the first phase would be open by August 2025.

However, after missing completion targets, the firm must now pay £650 per week on each of the sites it fails to complete on time.

Teignmouth Town Council rejected a revised programme offered by the Wiltshire-based company, which it branded ‘unacceptable’. The parties have now agreed a fresh set of dates, which should see the first toilets at East Cliff open by November 24 with The Den following shortly afterwards.

The remaining facilities in the Lower Point Car Park and Quay Road and a project to refurbish the toilets on Brook Street are now expected to be completed early in 2026.

Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams said she was unhappy with the slow progress but remains hopeful that a good result is still on the horizon.

‘Replacing these five toilet blocks with modern, clean and safe facilities is a flagship project for Teignmouth Town Council and one we asked residents to support through their council tax bills,’ she said.

‘I am disappointed for all of us that Healthmatic has failed to meet the original dates but our town clerk will continue to apply pressure and impose the financial penalties we have at our disposal,’ she added.

‘We must not forget though that, even if this project is delayed, Teignmouth Town Council and its residents are investing in fantastic new public facilities at a time when many communities are at risk of losing theirs altogether.

‘So our new toilets might be late coming but we’re laying the foundations for a time when Teignmouth takes more control of its own and that’s to be welcomed.’

Healthmatic is due to start work at East Cliff and The Den this week.