Visitors’ inconvenience (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Visitors’ inconvenience

3:15pm Thursday 29th March 2007 in Chippenham By Benjamin Parkes

BIDDESTONE residents are protesting at plans to close down the public toilets in their village.

North Wiltshire District Council decided to close down the amenities in towns and villages across area to save money.

It gave town and parish councils the opportunity to take over the running of the toilets instead but many cannot afford to do so.

In picturesque Biddestone, residents argue that the village is one of the best attractions in the area for tourists, which injects money into the local economy.

Village resident Tim Smith, who is retired, said: "You cannot have a tourist attraction without public toilets.

"The centre of the village is very beautiful and many people are drawn to the area to sit by the pond and feed the ducks.

"Many visitors cycle and walk here all year round and when they arrive they are going to be caught short if the toilets go. We also have many elderly visitors for whom the need for public toilets is greater."

Mr Smith said taking on responsibility for the toilets would double the parish precept.

One suggestion mooted by the district council was for visitors to use the toilets in the local pub, The White Horse, but residents say that is unfair on the landlord.

Joan Enn, who has lived in the village for 34 years, said: "We have coach loads of people coming to visit and a steady stream of individuals.

"Why should the local pub have to bear the burden?"

Mary Mullens, who moved to Biddestone in 1984, said: "On a sunny day there are thousands of people coming here.

"We also have fetes and festivals, which attract people, and the toilet is a necessity."

Alison Butler, 48, of Slaughterford, a regular visitor to Biddestone, said: "It is a basic human right and need to have access to these facilities."

Ashley Juniper, a resident for 32 years, said: "Tourism is a key sector in our region's economy and tourist facilities are important.

"In a conservation village like Biddestone which attracts tourists you have got to have these facilities."

Gill Stafford, 46, said: "There are some obvious health issue to consider when closing public toilets. People have to go somewhere, and they will."