Anger at proposed closure of Llanrwst toilets

Feb 11 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Llanrwst toilets

VISITORS to Llanrwst could soon be caught short when wanting to spend a penny following the proposed closure of its three council-run public toilets.

Spiralling costs mean that Conwy County Council has to axe 34 of its 57 public conveniences.

Llanrwst currently has three council-run public toilet blocks located at Watling Street, Gwydir Park and Cae Melyr Cemetery and one privately owned facility open to the public at the Glasdir rural development centre at Plas yn Dre, subject to opening times.

Llanrwst is not the only rural community affected by the proposed cull with a total of 11 public conveniences located in nine rural communities throughout the Conwy Valley also facing closure if nobody offers to take over their upkeep.

Under the proposals Conwy is hoping local community groups will offer to take over the running of the threatened WCs, but Llanrwst town councillors say its an impossible ask.

“Tourists need toilets, to close all three is ridiculous,” said town mayor Cllr Pat Rowley.

“Our main areas of concern are the widely used toilets at Gwydir Park and in Watling Street. Children and families use the park for sporting activities, football matches and family outings- where will they go? And what about Watling Street, the loos there are right next to a bus stop. We can’t expect people to make their way all the way over to the ones at Glasdir. We’ll have children having to go behind bushes and what about adults where are they expected to go?”

But under the proposals Conwy County Council are hoping that town and village councils and other community groups and organisations will take over the ownership and responsibility for the endangered loos- but if that doesn’t happen, then they will have to be closed.

Cllr Rowley added: “How can they expect people to take over derelict buildings, the council let our public toilets fall into disrepair and now expect people to be responsible for them.”

But Conwy say they will refurbish any public toilets taken over by volunteer groups to a usable standard and they will be eligible for further funding.

Conwy’s cabinet member for the environment Mike Priestly said: “The exercise was not about closing public conveniences but the aim was to transfer ownership so the facilities could be improved. Its about partnership working.”

The deadline is looming for any groups and organisations wishing to take on the responsibility of a toilet facility, anyone interested in taking over Llanrwst public toilets should contact the head of environmental services at Conwy as soon as possible on: 01492 574000 information@conwy.gov.uk