No short-term fix for closed toilets
EFFORTS to reopen Thatcham’s public toilets are facing “an uphill struggle”.
The toilets have been closed since the end of March, but with lockdown now easing and shops reopening, Richard Crumly (Con, Thatcham Central) asked at a recent meeting why the loos had not reopened .
“I’m sure everybody wants them to open, I think it would be a plus to the town centre,” he said.
Town clerk Mel Taylor said that remedial works would be needed, including providing hot water, and would cost around £7,000 to fix.
Additional cleaning would also need to be factored in.
The town council took over the running of the toilets in 2015 after West Berkshire Council said it would withdraw its funding for them.
Jeremy Cottam (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) said that the town council had investigated the toilets during the pandemic and said he was horrified by the years of neglect and lack of basic maintenance.
He said no action had been taken by the previous administration at the town council and “the condition became worse”.
He said: “The boiler failed and could have been repaired in next to no time, but it was left. I can’t understand why.
“Having left it in disrepair, they didn’t do the simple work of draining the boiler.
“This is why we are looking at such a high bill, which is why we can’t open them when we want to, to my great regret.
“We are facing quite an uphill struggle.”
Unperturbed, Mr Crumly replied: “I would like to see them open as soon as possible and I don’t want to see a long delay while their refurbishment is carried out.”
He suggested that a simple system, possibly an electric one, could be installed that would allow people to wash their hands with hot water.
“That could be done straight away so they can then be reopened,” he said.
“So we are doing the best we can for our customers and the people of Thatcham.
“I don’t see why that can’t be pressed ahead with straight away.”
But Mr Cottam replied: “That’s totally impossible. The costs of wiring and making it safe, it’s a no go.
“It’s in a really terrible condition and we are looking at doing a big job to get it going.
“I won’t consider a short-term fix.”
The town council has also been exploring reducing the number of cubicles in the public toilets and making better use of the remaining space.
Councillors will discuss funding the remedial works and refurbishment proposals at a meeting on Monday.