Kentish Express Ashford & District
Town centre ‘no-go zone’ for elderly if toilets close
Council plan to demolish public loos to make car park bigger
Councillors will vote on plans to demolish a public toilet block to make way for further car parking spaces.
The loos in Vicarage Lane car park behind Mecca bingo hall in the town centre were first built in the 1960s, but now Ashford Borough Council (ABC) wants to knock them down to save money.
The toilets had gained a reputation for being vandalised and as a haven for drug users, while ABC faced rising costs to maintain them.
Instead, the council believes a new community toilet scheme led by shops, restaurants and other businesses will mean there will be more lavatories available to people in the town centre, free of charge.
ABC will hand over cash to businesses so that those using the toilets don’t have to purchase any goods or services to gain entry.
There are currently 12 businesses signed up to the scheme.
But the plan has met with anger from elderly campaigners, such as former council groundsman George Galdies.
He believes the plan will turn the town centre into a “no-go zone” for the elderly, and said because of his medication he would be unable to get across town to the loos at New Rents, which will remain open.
He said: “If I need the toilet I don’t want to be left having to pee my trousers.
“I go to Vicarage Lane car park because it is right there if I need to go.
“When I first moved here in 1962 there were more toilets, but now we don’t have any. They still get the council tax we pay, but since it was privatised the workmanship has gone to hell.”
Council planning officer Claire Marchant has recommended the application to knock down the Vicarage Lane toilets be approved by the planning committee.
In her report she states: “In light of the Community Toilet Scheme, I am satisfied that the public conveniences are no longer required. The building is of no architectural merit.
“Its demolition will enhance the appearance of the area.”
The planning committee meeting will be held in the council chamber in Tannery Lane at 7pm on Wednesday, January 18.