CHIPPENHAM Town Council has countered claims made by a Wiltshire councillor that not enough is being done with public conveniences in the town.

Councillor Chris Caswill is unhappy the Bath Road toilet block was not taken on by the local authority last month and with signage displayed by Wiltshire Council indicating the nearest toilet block is Monkton Park, which was taken on by the town council.

“I walked to the toilets in Monkton Park, which are mentioned on the notice, and it took ten minutes, crossing a main road and the park open space,” said Coun Caswill.

“To add insult to injury, when I got there the disabled toilet was locked, with no indication as to how to get a key.

“I’ve had people come and say it’s shocking what’s going on and I think it’s taken time for people to realise the Bath Road toilets are permanently closed.”

The town council have insisted disabled users have the facility of a radar key at Monkton Park and that a spare key is held next door at the golf course, which is signposted, and there are closer toilet facilities at the Town Hall, Emery Gate and bus station on Timber Street.

Councillor Desna Allen, Chippenham council leader, said: “The signs at Bath Road toilets were put up by Wiltshire Council as it is their facility.

“The town council has raised the issue of the signs with Wiltshire Council. We are liaising with them for signs that list all the nearby public toilets.

“Further signs will be provided as the community toilet scheme is progressed in partnership with the BID.

“Cllr Caswill states people are unaware the Bath Road toilets have closed. These toilets were a Wiltshire Council facility and were closed by that council.

“Cllr Caswill is a Wiltshire councillor for the area in which the toilets are located, so surely making people aware is more his responsibility than ours.

“I would like to emphasise the town council has stepped in and taken on Monkton Park toilets at a cost of £25,000 a year.

“We are satisfied there are a number of accessible toilets in the town centre and a community toilet scheme planned that will increase that number still further.”