Public toilets refurbishment: NCC explain costs and timeline
There has been a great deal of exasperation over the state of the public toilets in Amble and the length of time it is taking to upgrade them.
The facilities at the Harbour were locked earlier in the year, with temporary toilets installed, while those at the Town Square are still in use.
Regular readers will know, Northumberland County Council (NCC) have promised to upgrade Amble’s public toilets for several years now, but no work has yet been carried out*.
📷 Amble’s public toilets have come in for a lot of criticism
We asked NCC for an update on the situation.
A spokesperson said: “We are very sorry for the delay in refurbishing the public toilets in Amble. We are currently in the closing stages of the procurement process for both sites in Amble, and until this is complete, we won’t know exactly how much the refurbishments are costing, but the estimated total value of the works will be around £180,000.”
The timetable for the refurbishment was amended, said NCC, as costs and the scope of works had increased significantly.
“Initially we were looking at tackling all essential maintenance and giving the toilet blocks a general spruce up, but this has been enhanced to include a much broader range of refurbishment works including new cubicles, toilets, urinals, mirrors, wash basins and hand dryers.
📷 Work began on clearing out the Harbour toilets at the end of September
“Earlier in the summer, the condition of the Harbour toilet facilities had deteriorated to the point where they were no longer suitable for regular use, so they needed to be closed. The Council did consider closing them and signposting people to the nearby alternative [Town Sq] facilities, but given the period of closure was through the busy summer months, decided that temporary provision was needed at the Harbour. The costs of hiring these facilities will depend on the actual start date of the works, but are likely to be in the region of £12,000.
“We have listened to the concerns of local people and have removed the modular toilets and replaced them with five Port-a-loos and a disabled toilet. As was the case with the old toilet block, these are open all day but locked every evening from 6pm until 6.30am. Each morning, they are cleansed, and toilet roll replenished. They are also serviced weekly by the supplier.”
📷 Signs suggest the skip at the Town Square toilets will be around until mid November
“As with all facilities of this nature, we ask that users leave them in the same condition as they found them for the benefit of the next user. Sadly, this isn’t always the case despite there being adequate numbers of temporary facilities available which are being thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis.”
They added: “At a time when many local authorities are closing their public toilets due to budget pressures, Northumberland County Council is doing the opposite and is making a significant investment in the facilities to provide a better service to residents and visitors alike as we recognise their importance”.
Anna Williams
*At time of writing. Skips were brought in and clearing work commenced at the Harbour at the end of September
NCC couldn’t give a toss about anything in Amble other than granting persimmon homes permission to build more and more houses just so they get hundreds of £ in council tax.
They should hang their heads in shame for the time it’s taken for the work to begin