Shrewsbury’s public toilets, which have been criticised by residents, could be improved as part of a major refurbishment in the next few months.

A proposal agreed by the old Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council to introduce a 20p charge to ensure maintenance and also to prevent rough sleeping and inappropriate behaviour in the toilets is unlikely to be introduced.

Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, made the comments today, as he said details were still being finalised but a schedule of works has been agreed.

The former SABC council approved plans for a £600,000 revamp of the town’s public toilets.

Final costs for the refurbishment have not been confirmed, but it is hoped less will be spent for this stage.

Councillor Nutting said: “We have agreed a schedule of works to improve public conveniences around the town but have got to go into more detail and more work in deciding exactly how the scheme is implemented.

“We will be trying to improve the public toilets in Shrewsbury over the next few months. The amount spent is likely to be less for the work currently envisaged. We’re probably not going to bring in the 20p charge but no final decision has yet been made.”

Earlier this year residents hit out at the state of public toilets in the town, labelling them as a “disgrace”.

People claimed the town’s public toilets were an issue that needed immediate attention when they made their comments at a meeting of the Severn Loop Local Joint Committee.

Discussions about the planned refurbishment took place behind closed doors as an exempt item at the end of a town council meeting on Monday.