Anger as delay puts block on toilets revamp

PLANS to refurbish vandal-hit toilet blocks in two town centres have been delayed.

Conveniences at Leek bus station and Tape Street car park, Cheadle, have been branded "cesspits" and "hovels".

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) had promised to renovate the run-down facilities as part of a £300,000 scheme more than a year ago.

But at a meeting of the overview and scrutiny panel last week, it emerged the work had been postponed while the Stockwell Street authority awaits the outcome of plans for the town centre masterplan.

The hold-up has angered residents who identified upgrading the toilets as one of their top three priorities for council investment.

Jean Hodgetts, from Werrington, contacted the Post & Times last August after discovering piles of dirty nappies, toilet rolls on the cubicle floors and no soap in dispensers at Leek bus station.

She said: "It is disgusting not to improve the bus station toilets.

"People come into Leek from many places. It is horrible for them when they get off the bus and go to the toilets."

Tim Whitehouse, of Park Avenue, Cheadle, was furious when he was told to contact Derbyshire County Council to lodge a complaint about the "filthy" Tape Street car park facilities.

SMDC and High Peak Borough Council decided to contract out maintenance of their buildings – claiming it would save the alliance £203,000 a year. The agreement will run until 2014.

The authorities blamed the poor state of facilities in both Cheadle and Leek on thieves stealing soap and toilet rolls and youths deliberately causing blockages.

Mr Whitehouse, who suffers from osteoarthritis, said: "Waiting to refurbish the toilets is ridiculous, they will keep getting worse."

However, the towns' elected representatives claim they are still committed to refurbishing the toilets.

Deputy leader Arthur Forrester, portfolio holder for environment, said: "We are awaiting the outcome of the masterplan, which could be in two or three months' time. It would be foolish to spend money if they were to be demolished."

Councillor Gill Heath, who has responsibility for finance, confirmed cash had been set aside in the budget.

She said: "We do not want to put good money into something that could change."

Conveniences in Silk Street, Leek, underwent a 12-week overhaul last spring which included new fitments, mirrors, coat hooks and baby changing facilities.