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.