March Town Council to close City Road public toilets permanently following vandalism during summer festival weekend

The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival Archant

March Town Council is to close the City Road public toilets permanently following the latest outbreak of vandalism during the summer festival weekend.

Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival

“It is with regret that March Town Council is closing the City Road Public Toilets with effect from Sunday July 1” said a council statement.

“This is an old facility that is in need of major refurbishment but, unfortunately, it is also a site that attracts much vandalism and disrespectful usage.

“Because of this behaviour, the cost of cleaning and maintenance has become prohibitive and, as with many things, the actions of a few have a detrimental impact on the majority.”

The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival

The statement added: “We appreciate that the Sunday afternoon band concerts are due to commence on July 1 so Fenland District Council has kindly given permission for attendees thereof to use the George Campbell Leisure Centre toilets if needed.”

Councillor Kit Owen said despite having cleaners in the toilets were disgusting by Sunday evening and one of the wall hand washing units is now broken.

“In the men’s toilets, the right hand side cubicle was OK but the left hand side they must have brought in a herd of elephants.

The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival The toilets looked like a herd of elephants had been through them, says councillor, after March Summer Festival

“In the ladies, all round, what a mess in every single cubicle.”

He said the toilets by the park had only opened from April to September and the majority of the time they were OK but on hot days or on days like the Summer Festival it is a total nightmare.

“Whatever you try to do, things get broken or realms of tissue get chucked into the toilet pans so they don’t flush.

“We’ve seen toilets with urine and faeces all over the floor, we’ve even seen that with the paid for toilets and found out that urine and faeces mess over the floor has been done by groups of young girls.

“There is no excuse for behaviour like this.

“We had the wall-mounted hand wash and driers put in and now one of those doesn’t work in the park toilets and they cost hundreds to replace.

“Yet if we were to make it cheaper by having regular wash bowls they would get smashed, or soap dispensers smashed. If we put in hand towels instead of the hand drier facility within those wall units, again which would be trashed.

“It seems some people are just filthy.”

Cleaners came in twice a day over the festival weekend but the toilets were still left in a state,” he said.

March Town Council then has to pick up the bill for it all.

“What can we do?” said Cllr Owen.

“Public toilets are needed, but the cost of vandalism or dirty behaviour is ridiculous.

“It’s a small number who don’t appreciate it, but that small number can ruin it for the majority.”

There are two men’s toilet cubicles and urinals while in the ladies there are five cubicles.