Anger as public toilets closed on bank holiday
The public toilets on Bray seafront were closed on Bank Holiday Monday due to ‘circumstances beyond our control’, according to a spokesperson for
Bray Municipal District.
The normal operation of opening and closing the public toilets on the seafront is carried out by Bray staff.
‘In instances where staff are unavailable, a contractor is engaged to assist in ensuring the facilities are made available to the public,’ said the council in a statement. ‘Unfortunately a situation arose over the holiday period and due to circumstances beyond our control the public facilities were not available. Bray Municipal District apologises for any inconvenience caused over the holiday period.’
In a letter, Bray man Patrick O’Dwyer said that he was disappointed that the facility was not available.
‘ The arrival of the public holiday is our opportunity to step away from the hard grind of work-life and take that much needed bonus day to relax, walk in the woods, spend time with family or simply enjoy some sunshine with a stroll on the beach or in the local park,’ he said.
‘For those that work on a bank holiday they are well compensated. Bank holidays are generally good for local food and beverage business, pubs and restaurants see a pleasant increase in revenue as people treat themselves and the ones they love on their bonus day off.
‘As a Bray man, there’s nothing more I like than to take a stroll a long the pram walk and enjoy the sunshine and our magnificent views. On this October Bank Holiday, I treated loved ones to breakfast and coffees because I’m happy to spread the joy. However, my joy unravelled as I began to hear members of the public utter their disappointment at the public toilets being closed.’
He said that the area was very busy with people enjoying their day in Bray and spending their money.
‘Why would Wicklow County Council allow Bray’s sea-front public toilets to remain closed to the public on a bank holiday?’ he said. ‘Surely the decision to keep the public toilets closed on a busy bank holiday Monday contradicts the WCC’s own Tourism Strategy ‘ to establish County Wicklow as a year round tourism destination’.