More loos ‘a must’ during bus work

PROVIDING alternative loos while work is ongoing to upgrade a major bus station should be a priority, says a councillor.

The public toilets at Halifax Bus Station have been closed during the work but Clr Roger Taylor (Ind, Northowram and Shelf) says alternative provision needs to be made.

He has called on a

Cabinet member to liaise with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, major funders of the project, and the council’s own estate team to do this.

Clr Taylor, speaking at a meeting of the full Calderdale Council, said he was among people who have health issues which might mean they need use of a toilet.

“Access to public conveniences is important to me and many others.

“Also, with additional bus stops temporarily provided along Waterhouse Street and upper Crown Street, I feel the obvious answer is to re-open the George Street facilities closed some two years ago citing Covid as the reason,” he said.

Clr Taylor also asked Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, Clr Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) about forthcoming changes to the town centre’s layout which he said would mean access to Market Street and its well-used bus stops will cease and people will have to walk further away from the town centre to catch their buses.

Clr Scullion said council officers and WYCA staff were meeting and talking about the toilet issue.

“We have tried to get the Combined Authority to put in temporary disabled toilets but there have been particular constraints to do with the levels in terms of getting a temporary facility.

“But we are discussing this with the Combined Authority and the CAFM (council estate management) team are looking at ways in which they can extend other toilets in the town to make sure that at least some of that is being done.”