RAGE AGAINST THE LATRINE!
Town’s bog-standard toilets come in for criticism
PUBLIC toilets are letting a town down when it comes to providing an attractive welcome for visitors, councillors have been told.
Bill Lockwood said the poor condition of the public toilets in Crown Street and Station Road, Stone, did not reflect well on the town.
He said: “I genuinely think the council has done an excellent job in making the town centre more attractive to live in, to work in and to visit. It’s definitely a town on the up and one to be proud of.
“But the efforts are badly let down by the condition of the two public conveniences.
“Some people will find alternatives at supermarkets and cafes. There are many – parents with young children, the elderly and visitors arriving in town – who have little choice but to use these toilets. Based on a quick check by myself and my wife, we visited Station Road and found old and mismatched tiling and a general air of neglect. In Crown Street there was only cold water.
“These facilities are only likely to get worse if they are not renovated and brought up to standard.”
In 2016 Stone Town Council offered to take on the public toilets – at a cost of £6,000 a year – after Stafford Borough Council planned to close them.
The decision had been taken in 2008, but the toilets had remained open, paid for by the borough council.
However, the borough’s website says it continues to maintain the toilets and keep them clean.
Borough and town councillor Jill Hood, told the meeting: “I take on board everything you say but I don’t know where we are.
“We tried to enter into an agreement with Stafford Borough Council and I think we got quite far, then it just seemed to stall.
“We have just had a change of street cleaner – he is the most wonderful man. I have seen him on his hands and knees brushing the gutters, he really is conscientious.
“He identified to me what needs doing. He has already arranged a number of things – soap dishes and extra toilet rolls – and he is aware there is a seat missing.
“I would hope we continue to negotiate with the borough council and that is something the town council would consider. It is like a blot on the landscape looking at those toilets. I am sure we will do something about it.”