Kentish Express Ashford & District
Pensioner caught short after loos are shut early
A pensioner has branded the early closing time of public toilets in Ashford town centre “disgusting”.
George Galdies, 79, often visits the town centre with his wife to go shopping and leaves his car in the Vicarage Lane car park.
However, he says that the loos there, which are owned by Ashford Borough Council (ABC), are closing earlier and earlier, meaning he can’t use them when he returns from the town.
Mr Galdies, of Boxley, South Ashford, said: “We finish shopping at 5.30pm, but by the time we return to the car park they are already closed.
“What is the sense of closing the toilets before the shops are shut?
“I don’t know anywhere else in the country that does this.
“I take water tablets so when I need the loo I have to go.”
The grandfather, and former council worker, said that on one trip they were shut by 4.10pm.
He added: “Is it disgusting. People can’t wait until they get home.
“When I leave town I am normally OK, but by the time we have walked back to the car park I need to go. It is a health issue.”
ABC said the toilets in Vicarage Lane, as well as the ones in New Rents and Victoria Park, are closed in the afternoon due to the anti-social behaviour and vandalism that takes place in them.
They say in the past the loo seats have been damaged or removed, homeless people have been caught sleeping in there overnight and the walls have been sprayed with graffiti.
A spokesman said: “Owing to vandalism and anti-social behaviour public toilets are being closed each evening between 4pm and 5pm.
“On rare occasions toilets may be closed earlier owing to maintenance issues.
“We are looking into solutions to address these issues to enable the facilities to remain open for longer.
“Until then, accessible, alternative toilets are available nearby in the town centre.”
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk