Loss of public loos will turn Derby into 'one giant urinal'
THE leader of Derby's Conservatives said the city centre could become "one giant urinal" after a decision was taken to close 10 public toilets.
Councillor Philip Hickson also argued that £300,000 set aside in the council's budget for the Playhouse should be used to bring the toilets up to scratch.
The authority's cabinet had decided at a previous meeting to shut the toilets but was asked to look at the decision again by the authority's community commission because it said there was no direct evidence of public consultation. It also said there was no clear evidence that the owners of alternative toilets proposed, such as supermarkets and pubs, had been consulted.
But last night the cabinet stuck to its original plan.
Closures will start on November 1 with toilets at Markeaton Island; High Street, Chellaston; Spondon Library; Nunsfield Housing grounds in Boulton Lane, Alvaston; Nottingham Road Cemetery; and Spondon Cemetery. These will be followed by those at The Spot and in Victoria Street in January and then the conveniences in the Eagle Market and at the Assembly Rooms once the city's new bus station opens at the end of next year.
The council said it would cost too much to make them "fit for purpose" and in some cases they had become havens for drug users, criminals and illicit sexual activity.
Joe Naitta, cabinet member for leisure and culture who proposed the closures, said the council was looking at ensuring there were alternatives.
He said: "We have talked to a lot of people. It is a very sensitive issue."
Mr Hickson had urged the cabinet not to back the closures, saying: "There has been no public consultation about the closures. The fact is that these facilities are needed by a whole range of groups, not just the elderly and the disabled. You are going to turn the city centre into one giant urinal if you are not careful."
"There is still £300,000 in the budget that we have allocated to the Playhouse which has not been used."
Derby Labour group leader Chris Williamson, who launched a Leave Our Loos Alone campaign and collected a 2,000-name petition, slammed the decision. He said: "This smacks of arrogance to disregard the wishes of the people of this city."
Scores of readers wrote to the Evening Telegraph to complain about the closures.
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by Interested Observer, Derby
Monday, November 03 2008, 11:55AM
“If the roads are not being repaired it would seem that this budget will be underspent, surely this is where the money could be found. The cost of taking over the Playhouse Lease will swallow the £300,000.”
by m...w, derby
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:12PM
“Start going to the loo in the nearest wheeliebin if you want to get the most out of your money we pay enough to have them emptied......! hehe Its a disgrace ..... and surely against the law what are you supposed to do with young children and people who have illnesses i.e IBS?? seriously disgusting!”
by Tony Burzynski, Derby
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:09PM
“I heard in the news the other day that politicians are urging councils to increase the toilets in their towns, for goodness sake Derby councillors what on earth are you thinking. I don't shop at West fields so where am I suppposed to go???? the toilets in the town centre are essential especially if sisitors are expected to come here.. or maybe this has something to do with orders from Westfields management?”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:16PM
“Ian,
You may have noticed it wasn't me who brought the subject up in the first place.
however, if i see fit to defend the place as and when, I will.
Oh, and by the way, you are not the editor of this site.
Please leave personal wisecracks out of it- you're entitled to your opinions on this subject, as are we all.”
by ian, derby
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:00PM
“maybe so Joanne but your trying to turn another story into a debate on playhouse funding yet again - give it a rest please and discuss the story in question and only that”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:43AM
“Ian, hilarious.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:42AM
“Mary,
I totally agree re your comments on the loos.
However, no public money has been used on the Playhouse since Nov '07.The rescue effort has been running
independently.I assume this chunk of money Mr Hickson is referring to is what has been set aside by DCC for its Derby LIVE plans?
I just wonder if there has been some sort of financial shortfall/legacy left over from the last administration, that the current one has found itself so short of cash it is unable to fund an essential public amenity?
I seem to remember all sorts of ventures proposed, like clocks, swing bridges, a giant TV screen, etc etc.....at what cost?”
by Mary, Derby
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:24AM
“This is ridiculous the toilet s throughout town need to be kept open. People will start using the lanes and cornmarket entrance to market as urinals and then no one will want to shop in those areas and it would spread disease as well. The toilets in town all need to be kept open. There is a petition to sign at the pensioners association on the balcony in the market hall against closing the toilets. The elderly and people with weak bladders will have serious problems. Money used to try and rescur Playhouse should be used to update these loos. Because trying to save playhouse is a complete waste of money as was the Quad Centre.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:19AM
“Obviously the public toilets should remain!
But I would also like to question what the last administration under Mr Hickson and Williamson; what was done to maintain these public amenities?
As for money being relocated from some "Playhhouse" budget- the theatre has had to survive with no public subsidy since Nov '07! Mr Hickson I believe was also a member of the management board at the time!
I wouldn't mind a sensible discussion about all this, but am completely irritated by politicians turning this into a point scoring exercise.
This should involve ALL parties, as a matter of public health.
As for money spent elsewhere by the previous administration-
I'll leave that as an open question!!”
by Joanne, Derbys
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 11:12AM
“Testing”