Lyme Regis: Plans to charge for use of public toilets put on hold (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Lyme Regis: Plans to charge for use of public toilets put on hold

1:26pm Thursday 31st December 2009

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PLANS to charge for the use of public toilets in Lyme Regis have been put on hold after the results of a public consultation were ‘inconclusive’.

West Dorset District Council was considering introducing an attended service at three of its public conveniences, paid for by a 20p charge.

The council said the charge would maintain the expected level of cleanliness and if successful, it would be rolled out across the district.

The authority invited comments from community groups and Lyme Regis Town Council.

Interactive panels were also put in the toilets at Broad Street, Monmouth Beach, and next to the Cobb Arms asking the public to give their views.

But the issue has divided the community and the plans will now be delayed to allow further consideration.

West Dorset District Council's technical services manager Steve Woollard said: “Members of the public, key stakeholders, and Lyme Regis Town Council were consulted during the summer on whether a charge of 20p should be introduced to pay for increased cleaning in the public toilets.

“The results of the consultation were inconclusive – interactive panels giving 50.9 per cent in favour, 49.1 per cent against and the user survey giving 54 per cent in favour, 46 per cent against.”

Lyme Regis Town Council suggested parking charges in district council car parks should be increased instead to ensure the toilets remain free.

The extra revenue generated from parking could then be used to improve cleanliness in the toilets, said town councillors.

They have also been angered by the district council’s decision to freeze short-stay parking charges next year, for the fifth year in a row.

It is currently £1 to park all day in Charmouth Road and Holmbush car parks.

Coun Michaela Ellis said: “I would like to push them to double the Holmbush and Charmouth Road charges and not charge for the toilets.”

District councillors said it would help people and businesses cope with the recession.

Council leader Robert Gould said: “We were happy to support the proposals to freeze car parking charges to help support the local economy and bring in visitors and shoppers.”

Mr Woollard added: “It was decided to defer the decision to allow further consideration.”

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