Church Stretton toilets closure plan 'stupid'

Plans to close public toilets in Church Stretton came under fire at a public meeting after one resident claimed people had been urinating against a shop wall.

Henry Hand, who lives near Church Stretton, said he had gone to use the cash machine at the town's Co-op store and had found people had been urinating there.

He was speaking at a meeting last night to discuss ideas for spending £225,000 allocated to Church Stretton under the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.

Mr Hand, who suggested some of the money could be used to keep public toilets open in the town, said: "People are urinating against the Co-op, it's stupid to close the toilets."

Church Stretton Town Council last year voted to close the block of toilets it runs between November and March to save £11,000.

And Shropshire Council has offered to hand over the running of the toilets in Easthope Road in April due to funding cuts.

Councillor Bob Welch, Church Stretton's mayor, said: "It does highlight the need for adequate toilet provision in the town centre and the prospect of Shropshire Council closing the one central toilet in the town is most concerning."

He said the town council was keeping its decision to close the Lutwyche Road toilets under review.

l Debate — See Page 22