A local authority has angered local residents by revealing plans to demolish public toilets on a very popular local beach, a recent news report in the local media has been able to suggest.
The conveniences at Barton on Sea were shut at the start of the pandemic on the grounds they failed to comply with coronavirus restrictions. However, beach hut owners say the closures have resulted in land behind their seaside havens being used as a public toilet.
Now New Forest District Council (NFDC) could decide to demolish one of the conveniences, along with a similar facility at Calshot.
Plans to demolish toilets at Barton and Calshot were debated at a meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet earlier this month.
A report to members said: “The conveniences situated on the foreshore have been closed since March 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
“The building, a temporary structure installed just over ten years ago, is seeing serious corrosion due to the coastal environment and is at the end of its lifespan.
“There are alternative facilities on the cliff top that serve residents and visitors using the beach area.
A council spokesperson said: “Following the first lockdown we risk assessed all of our 23 public toilets.
“We have managed in a phased way to open 21 of these toilets by putting in mitigations measures such as increased cleaning frequencies, screens and signage.
“Unfortunately we have two which cannot be opened in a Covid safe way and therefore we have asked for a councillors task and finish group to look at the options available.
Charging a fee for access is quite often the most sensible solution when it comes to public toilets’ funding – and indeed keeping these facilities open for the general public, and this is exactly where Toilet Turnstiles could really put its experience to very good use.
Our toilet turnstiles are built from graded stainless steel, for easier cleaning and maintenance, and also come equipped with lockable lids to prevent unwanted access. Furthermore, the separate coin box offers very versatile mounting options, as it can be installed either in front of the turnstile, at the side or alternatively, on the wall, with the cash box at the rear.
The turnstile’s coin mechanism can be programmed for virtually any combination of coins with a secure cash box to hold them, while the additional counters for the number of entries made will enable a thorough level of control over the system’s operation.
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